Widening wealth gap
Recent census date points to a Widening wealth gap:
The Census Bureau released updated data this week on the net worth of American households, drawn from the Survey of Income and Program Participation. These totals reflect all assets including money in checking accounts, owned homes, rental properties, 401ks, stocks and vehicles, offset by liabilities like mortgages, student loans, and medical and credit card debt. Below, I’ve charted the distribution of net worth by income quintiles for several groups: non-Hispanic whites, blacks, Hispanics and Asians, as well as households headed by workers with a high school degree or more.
The Census data suggest that the wealth gap in America has widened over the past decade, regardless of how you slice it. The gap between the bottom and top quintiles in America has widened, as has the gap between blacks and whites, and between workers with only a high school degree and those with much more.
Why is wealth inequality so high today? In part, because the S&P 500 is at record highs.
Why is the S&P at all time highs? Because the Fed wants that outcome. They’ve said so again and again.
Zero interest rates means higher stock values. Higher values make the wealth gap bigger and bigger.
Dan thinks wealth inequality is a big issue. But you also have guys like Paul Krugman who has been pleading with the Fed to not raise % rates. (ZIRP for eva)
Which objective is more important? Wealth inequality or a continued ‘step on the pedal’ monetary policy?
You can’t have both.