# K-shaped economy w/both legs pointing up **URL:** \ **Category:** Macro Economic Trends and Risks\ **Created:** [November 3, 2026, 1:55pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069 "2026-11-03T13:55:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![DrBob2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/drbob2/32/3456_2.png) [@DrBob2](https://discussion.fool.com/u/DrBob2)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 1:55pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/1 "2026-11-03T13:55:32Z")
> **[The economy is 'less K-shaped than you think' — and that's bad news for the Fed](https://finance.yahoo.com/economy/article/the-economy-is-less-k-shaped-than-you-think--and-thats-bad-news-for-the-fed-110000449.html)** > > Wealth is up for every income group, but the top took most of the dollars, and inflation won't budge. _Americans at every income level are richer than they were before the pandemic…Apollo chief economist Torsten Sløk says the bottom arm is holding up better than most people think…pointing to spending growth of about 4% to 5% a year for every income group since 2024…_ _The Fed’s wealth data backs him up. **Household net worth is up more than 70% for every income group** since early 2019, by Yahoo Finance calculations, including about 73% for the lowest-earning fifth and 85% for the top 1%._ DB2 ---
**Author:** ![iampops5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/iampops5/32/1543_2.png) [@iampops5](https://discussion.fool.com/u/iampops5)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/2 "2026-11-03T16:17:57Z")
Our national debt is up about 83% since 2019. And our cumulative private debt is up about 116% before you even begin to count all the tricks being used to disguise the real amount of private debt. Does that impact your analysis? ---
**Author:** ![DrBob2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/drbob2/32/3456_2.png) [@DrBob2](https://discussion.fool.com/u/DrBob2)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/3 "2026-11-03T16:32:53Z")
> [@iampops5](#): > > Does that impact your analysis? Well, net worth – up over 70% for every income group – includes debt (which is subtracted). The 70+ percent increase is also an inflation adjusted number. DB2 ---
**Author:** ![Hawkwin](https://g.foolcdn.com/misc-assets/discourse-member-avatar_120px_green600.png) [@Hawkwin](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Hawkwin)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 5:18pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/4 "2026-11-03T17:18:59Z")
> [@DrBob2](#): > > including about 73% for the lowest-earning fifth I have SERIOUS doubts that the lowest fifth have had their net worth increase by **73% in less than seven years.** I can’t find any data from any government site that support that (but can’t find any data that shows it at all). Here is what I could find - bottom 50% > **[Total Assets Held by the Bottom 50% (1st to 50th Wealth Percentiles)](https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/WFRBLB50081)** > > Total Assets Held by the Bottom 50% (1st to 50th Wealth Percentiles) ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/original/3X/5/8/58ac6d507c15e0d571692e248f7db039a12b2491.png) From Q12020 through last quarter, Total Assets increased 43%. Even if we were to use Q12019, the increase is just 59%. It is fair to assume the bottom 20% did worse than the bottom 50%. ---
**Author:** ![intercst](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/intercst/32/1543_2.png) [@intercst](https://discussion.fool.com/u/intercst)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 7:42pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/5 "2026-11-03T19:42:46Z")
> [@Hawkwin](#): > > I have SERIOUS doubts that the lowest fifth have had their net worth increase by **73% in less than seven years.** Federal Reserve’s **[2025 Survey of Consumer Finances](https://www.federalreserve.gov/publications/files/scf26.pdf)** (released in October 2026), the median net worth for families in the lowest income quintile actually **dropped by 6%** between 2022 and 2025, falling to $12,840. intercst ---
**Author:** ![DrBob2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/drbob2/32/3456_2.png) [@DrBob2](https://discussion.fool.com/u/DrBob2)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 8:29pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/6 "2026-11-03T20:29:07Z")
> [@Hawkwin](#): > > I have SERIOUS doubts that the lowest fifth have had their net worth increase by 73% in less than seven years. Agreed; I couldn’t come up with the Yahoo Finance numbers. The Survey of Consumer Finances shows that from 2019 to 2022 the median family net worth increased from $11.9K to $18.5K for the lowest income quintile (55% in six years). There may have been some covid bloat, as it was back down to 10% in year seven. A spreadsheet can be downloaded here: > **[Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF)](https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/scfindex.htm)** > > The Federal Reserve Board of Governors in Washington DC. DB2 ---
**Author:** ![Goofyhoofy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/goofyhoofy/32/4721_2.png) [@Goofyhoofy](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Goofyhoofy)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/7 "2026-11-03T22:14:17Z")
Here’s a fun video I ran across a couple days ago. Short and snappy: It’s the US wealth distribution, with pictures: 1. What people think would be ideal: 2. 3. What people THINK it actually is: 4. What it actually is: Well, there’s a #4, in which he details how he doesn’t have enough room to show the actual 0.1%, because there isn’t enough room on the screen, space on your computer, paper in the universe, so if you’d like to see the video, it’s here: (I have only found it on Facebook Reels, so far, but it’s probably elsewhere) > **[15K views · 144 reactions | usa wealth distribution in 2026 #american...](https://www.facebook.com/reel/29247621441521876)** > > usa wealth distribution in 2026 #american #classdisparity ---
**Author:** ![Leap1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/leap1/32/72176_2.png) [@Leap1](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Leap1)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/8 "2026-11-03T22:43:04Z")
> [@DrBob2](#): > > Well, net worth – up over 70% for every income group – includes debt (which is subtracted). The 70+ percent increase is also an inflation adjusted number. Even on election day, overleveraging has some drawbacks. Don’t ya know. ---
**Author:** ![pauleckler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/pauleckler/32/2906_2.png) [@pauleckler](https://discussion.fool.com/u/pauleckler)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 6:24am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/9 "2026-11-04T06:24:44Z")
You suspect this is mostly due to rising value of real estate. Great for home owners. Leaves out renters. Yes, they are running up their credit cards due to costs rising faster than income. Home owners can pay their debts w home equity loans. We should not be surprised these people are cutting their spending, eating out less, ands saving every way they can. Their wealth is diminishing. It is not a golden goose. ---
**Author:** ![intercst](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/intercst/32/1543_2.png) [@intercst](https://discussion.fool.com/u/intercst)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 7:07am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/10 "2026-11-04T07:07:01Z")
As Bernie Sanders keeps pointing out. “One man owns more wealth than the bottom 50% of US residents.” > intercst ---
**Author:** ![FOOLME45](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/foolme45/32/2642_2.png) [@FOOLME45](https://discussion.fool.com/u/FOOLME45)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 11:50am UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/11 "2026-11-04T11:50:47Z")
> [@intercst](#): > > One man owns more wealth than the bottom 50% of US residents.” Musk: Paid 11 billion in taxes in 2021 First new US mass auto manufacturer in 75 years Has created more employee millionaires than any other business owner in history Reduced rocket launch costs by 75% Providing worldwide communication and internet capabilities to some of the most remote and poorest areas Sanders Spent 35 years in office and his greatest legislative accomplishments is to rename two Vermont post offices ---
**Author:** ![iampops5](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/iampops5/32/1543_2.png) [@iampops5](https://discussion.fool.com/u/iampops5)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 12:17pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/12 "2026-11-04T12:17:00Z")
And most years he pays a lower tax rate than the bottom 50% added up. Millions of Americans struggling to make ends meet pay a higher overall tax rate than Musk. That’s why he spent hundreds of millions in political donations. To avoid billions in taxes and accelerate his path to $2T in net worth while the bottom 50% not only fall farther behind, but do so at an accelerating rate. ---
**Author:** ![Goofyhoofy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/goofyhoofy/32/4721_2.png) [@Goofyhoofy](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Goofyhoofy)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 12:21pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/13 "2026-11-04T12:21:00Z")
> [@iampops5](#): > > That’s why he spent hundreds of millions in political donations. I always wondered what lighting a pile of half-a-billion $1 bills on fire would look like. ---
**Author:** ![DrBob2](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/drbob2/32/3456_2.png) [@DrBob2](https://discussion.fool.com/u/DrBob2)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 12:44pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/14 "2026-11-04T12:44:12Z")
![Screenshot 2026-11-04 at 6.43.03 AM](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/original/3X/7/d/7d0bb8fc738932a1b87eed070459b2d90a2e2658.png) > **[The Economy Is Less K-Shaped than You Think | The Daily Spark](https://www.apollo.com/wealth/insights-news/insights/daily-spark/the-economy-is-less-k-shaped-than-you-think)** > > New data from the Fed shows that the US consumer is less K-shaped than commonly perceived. Subscribe for daily updates. DB2 ---
**Author:** ![Hawkwin](https://g.foolcdn.com/misc-assets/discourse-member-avatar_120px_green600.png) [@Hawkwin](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Hawkwin)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/15 "2026-11-04T15:32:39Z")
> [@FOOLME45](#): > > Paid 11 billion in taxes in 2021 He indeed did that. > [@FOOLME45](#): > > First new US mass auto manufacturer in 75 years > > Has created more employee millionaires than any other business owner in history > > Reduced rocket launch costs by 75% > > Providing worldwide communication and internet capabilities to some of the most remote and poorest areas He didn’t do the rest of this. The employees did this. Hawkwin Tired of hero worship. ---
**Author:** ![FOOLME45](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/foolme45/32/2642_2.png) [@FOOLME45](https://discussion.fool.com/u/FOOLME45)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 3:41pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/16 "2026-11-04T15:41:20Z")
> [@Hawkwin](#): > > He didn’t do the rest of this. The employees did this. Yeah sure, there was an organic and spontaneous coming together of employees with no direction, no culture, no mission and no one that supplied the capital and took the risk. It’s not hero worship but the ability to recognize achievement, when it occurs. It also doesn’t minimize the contribution of the team around him, richly and financially rewarded for their efforts. Despite a massive head start and existing infrastructure, Boeing couldn’t compete with Space X and no other major US auto manufacturer has been able to compete with Tesla. You could give Sanders 5X the capital and a decade head start and he still wouldn’t know what to do with it. It’s okay to separate the business achievements from the rest of the noise and give credit where it is due. ---
**Author:** ![Leap1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/leap1/32/72176_2.png) [@Leap1](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Leap1)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 4:06pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/17 "2026-11-04T16:06:51Z")
> [@FOOLME45](#): > > Paid 11 billion in taxes in 2021 It was capital gains taxes. > [@FOOLME45](#): > > Sanders > > Spent 35 years in office and his greatest legislative accomplishments is to rename two Vermont post offices And now the country is ready for a major new hike in corporate tax rates. ---
**Author:** ![FOOLME45](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/foolme45/32/2642_2.png) [@FOOLME45](https://discussion.fool.com/u/FOOLME45)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/18 "2026-11-04T16:48:13Z")
> [@Leap1](#): > > It was capital gains taxes. Yep, at whatever the Govt set as the rate. I don’t see your point. > [@Leap1](#): > > And now the country is ready for a major new hike in corporate tax rates. I don’t distill elections down to single issues. People vote for many different reasons and those reasons are often rational and irrational. The greatest mistake that elected officials make is misinterpreting what the public is mandating or simply expressing as frustration with the powers that be. ---
**Author:** ![Leap1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/leap1/32/72176_2.png) [@Leap1](https://discussion.fool.com/u/Leap1)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 4:49pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/19 "2026-11-04T16:49:53Z")
“It’s the economy stupid”. ---
**Author:** ![FOOLME45](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/foolme45/32/2642_2.png) [@FOOLME45](https://discussion.fool.com/u/FOOLME45)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2026, 4:56pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069/20 "2026-11-04T16:56:52Z")
I don’t have any interest in discussing the reasons. It doesn’t serve any purpose with my investing decisions. If anything, the markets reaction today confirms my own belief that gridlock might be what best serves investors. [Next page](https://discussion.fool.com/t/k-shaped-economy-w-both-legs-pointing-up/127069.md?page=2)