The second quarter of 2023 saw a remarkable increase in the net worth of American households, as the stock market and housing prices rebounded from the effects of inflation and interest rate hikes. According to the latest data from the Federal Reserve, US household wealth hit a record $154.3 trillion during the period, surpassing the previous peak of $152 trillion set in early 2022.
Stock market and real estate boost wealth
The main drivers of the wealth surge were the strong performance of the stock market and the rising value of real estate. Americans’ stock market investments grew by $2.6 trillion during the quarter, as major indexes recovered from the volatility caused by the Fed’s aggressive monetary tightening. The S&P 500, for instance, gained 9.5% in the second quarter, after dropping 4.2% in the first quarter.
Meanwhile, real estate holdings, including the value of homes, increased by $2.5 trillion, as demand for housing remained high despite higher mortgage rates. The median sales price of existing homes rose to $363,300 in June, up 23.4% from a year ago, according to the National Association of Realtors.
Consumer spending and confidence support economic growth
The increase in household wealth should provide a cushion for consumer spending, which accounts for about 70% of US economic activity. Consumer spending rose by 11.8% in the second quarter, after falling by 3.9% in the first quarter, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Consumer confidence also improved, as the Conference Board’s index rose to 129.1 in June, up from 117.6 in March.
The economic recovery was also supported by other factors, such as the easing of pandemic-related restrictions, the progress of vaccination campaigns, and the impact of fiscal stimulus measures. The US economy grew by 6.5% in the second quarter, after expanding by 6.3% in the first quarter, according to the Commerce Department.
Challenges and risks remain for the economy
Despite the positive signs, there are still some challenges and risks facing the US economy. One of them is inflation, which has been running above the Fed’s 2% target for several months. The consumer price index rose by 5.4% in June, compared to a year ago, the highest annual rate since 2008. The Fed has maintained that inflation is transitory and largely driven by supply bottlenecks and base effects, but some analysts and investors are worried that it could persist and force the central bank to tighten policy sooner than expected.
Another challenge is the labor market, which has not fully recovered from the pandemic-induced job losses. The unemployment rate was 5.9% in June, down from 6% in March, but still above the pre-pandemic level of 3.5%. The labor force participation rate was 61.6% in June, unchanged from March and below the pre-pandemic level of 63.4%. The labor market recovery has been hampered by factors such as skills mismatches, childcare issues, health concerns, and enhanced unemployment benefits.
A third challenge is the uncertainty surrounding the Delta variant of Covid-19, which has caused a surge in cases and hospitalizations in some parts of the country. The variant poses a threat to public health and economic activity, especially in areas with low vaccination rates. The Biden administration has urged Americans to get vaccinated and follow public health guidelines to prevent another wave of infections and deaths.