Key Insight

U.S. household wealth has become dangerously concentrated in financial assets — particularly public equities — creating an unprecedented vulnerability where a market correction could erase years of apparent prosperity.

Generated by Claude on Apr 15, 2026

U.S. Household Wealth

Total assets held by U.S. households and nonprofits, decomposed by asset class. Data from the Federal Reserve's Flow of Funds accounts.

Updated Apr 1.

Exclude COVID
Total Household Assets

Total assets held by U.S. households and nonprofits — the broadest measure of national wealth

▲ +4.9% YoY

217.8$T

Trend YoY growth is +4.9%, slowing by 9 bps/year over the last 55Y. Latest: +10.9%, 6.0 pp above trend, a 1.1σ deviation. The latest YoY reading is depressed by 1.4 pp due to an tough comparison base from Apr '25. At current levels, YoY would fall to +6.9% by Sep '26 as comparisons tighten.

Level

YoY %

y = 9.8% 9 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Public Equities

Corporate equities held by households and nonprofits at market value — the most volatile wealth component

▲ +12.9% YoY

44.32$T

Trend YoY growth is +12.9%, accelerating by 11 bps/year over the last 54Y. Latest: +19.8%, 6.9 pp above trend, a 0.45σ deviation. The latest YoY reading is depressed by 9.1 pp due to an tough comparison base from Jan '24.

Level

YoY %

y = 7.0% + 11 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Residential Real Estate

Owner-occupied real estate including vacant land and mobile homes at market value

▲ +4.0% YoY

49.79$T

Trend YoY growth is +4.0%, slowing by 14 bps/year over the last 55Y. Deviations have remained below trend for 6 consecutive periods. Latest: +2.5%, 1.5 pp below trend, a 0.23σ deviation. The latest YoY reading is boosted by 1.9 pp due to an easy comparison base from Apr '25. At current levels, YoY would rise to +4.0% by Sep '26 as comparisons ease.

Level

YoY %

y = 11.5% 14 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Fixed Income & Cash

Currency, deposits, and debt securities held by households — the low-risk allocation

▲ +3.9% YoY

25.53$T

Trend YoY growth is +3.9%, slowing by 11 bps/year over the last 54Y. Latest: +5.8%, 2.0 pp above trend, a 0.40σ deviation.

Level

YoY %

y = 10.0% 11 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Pension & Retirement

Pension entitlements held by households and nonprofits — deferred compensation claims

▲ +3.2% YoY

35.73$T

Trend YoY growth is +3.2%, slowing by 15 bps/year over the last 55Y. Latest: +7.0%, 3.9 pp above trend, a 0.83σ deviation. The latest YoY reading is depressed by 1.7 pp due to an tough comparison base from Apr '25. At current levels, YoY would fall to +3.6% by Sep '26 as comparisons tighten.

Level

YoY %

y = 11.6% 15 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Private Business Equity

Proprietors' equity in noncorporate business at market value — illiquid wealth tied to small business

▲ +3.4% YoY

16.32$T

Trend YoY growth is +3.4%, slowing by 10 bps/year over the last 54Y. Deviations have remained below trend for 5 consecutive periods. Latest: +1.8%, 1.7 pp below trend, a 0.25σ deviation. The latest YoY reading is boosted by 2.1 pp due to an easy comparison base from Jan '24.

Level

YoY %

y = 9.0% 10 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Commercial & Other Real Estate

Total household real estate minus owner-occupied — includes commercial property and other real assets

▲ +3.1% YoY

4.28$T

Trend YoY growth is +3.1%, slowing by 12 bps/year over the last 55Y. Latest: +8.0%, 4.8 pp above trend, a 0.71σ deviation. The latest YoY reading is boosted by 5.6 pp due to an easy comparison base from Apr '25. At current levels, YoY would fall to +3.1% by Sep '26 as comparisons tighten.

Level

YoY %

y = 9.9% 12 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend

Other Financial Assets

Miscellaneous financial assets including insurance reserves, equity in GSEs, and other claims

▲ +2.8% YoY

46.05$T

Trend YoY growth is +2.8%, slowing by 13 bps/year over the last 55Y. Latest: +4.6%, 1.8 pp above trend, a 0.62σ deviation. At current levels, YoY would fall to +2.6% by Sep '26 as comparisons tighten.

Level

YoY %

y = 10.1% 13 bps/yr · t

Deviation from trend