Richest 1% of US Earners Now Own Over Half of Equity and Mutual Fund Assets
The top 1% hold 50.1% of US equities and mutual funds, up from 40.1% in 1990, while the bottom 50% owns just 1.1%.
Ownership concentration among U.S. equities and mutual funds has reached a new milestone, with the wealthiest 1% now holding 50.1% of total assets. That share stood at just 40.1% in 1990 and 39.6% in 2001.
The next 9% of earners control 37.3%, bringing the top 10% of households to roughly 87.4% ownership. In contrast, the middle 40% of the income distribution holds only 11.7%, while the bottom 50% accounts for a mere 1.1%.
The widening gap underscores how asset ownership remains heavily skewed toward the highest earners, fueling debates about wealth inequality and economic participation.
Source: The Kobeissi Letter