{"id":889039,"date":"2026-06-24T08:23:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/889039\/"},"modified":"2026-06-24T08:23:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T08:23:27","slug":"mark-zandi-says-top-20-of-americans-now-account-for-nearly-60-of-spending-as-bottom-80-fall-behind-inflation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/889039\/","title":{"rendered":"Mark Zandi Says Top 20% Of Americans Now Account For Nearly 60% Of Spending As Bottom 80% Fall Behind Inflation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Moody\u2019s Analytics chief economist Mark Zandi<\/strong> has warned that America\u2019s stark economic divergence remains \u201cfirmly intact,\u201d as newly updated data reveal a bruising financial reality in which the bottom 80% of earners are losing the battle against inflation, while top earners dominate national consumption.<\/p>\n

The Spending Divide Deepens<\/strong> <\/p>\n

According to Zandi\u2019s updated estimates, households in the top 20% of the income distribution\u2014defined as those earning over $175k annually\u2014now account for an \u201castounding nearly 60% of outlays.\u201d<\/p>\n

Driven by a robust 6.5% surge in personal spending over the past year, this affluent segment is single-handedly \u201cdriving spending and the economy\u201d well ahead of the current 2.7% CPI inflation rate. Meanwhile, outlays for the bottom 80% of Americans grew at just 2.6%, meaning the vast majority of consumers \u201cfell short of inflation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t Miss:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Zandi noted this data presents an \u201coverwhelming case\u201d that the financial system is becoming \u201cincreasingly\u201d unequal, leaving \u201cmost Americans\u2026 upset with their financial situations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

The K-shaped economy remains firmly intact. That\u2019s according to our updated estimate of personal outlays by income group for 2026q1, based on the Fed\u2019s Financial Accounts and Survey of Consumer Finance. Americans in the top 20% of the income distribution (those who earn over\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/VxoxtbYG3a<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mark Zandi (@Markzandi) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A \u2018Lopsided\u2019 Economic Background<\/strong> <\/p>\n

This economic data underscores a widening political rift over wealth distribution. Rep. Ro Khanna <\/strong>(D-CA) recently amplified these frustrations, sharply slamming elite defenses of what he described as an \u201cunfair and lopsided economy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Khanna highlighted a grim milestone tied directly to these financial pressures, noting that \u201cnearly 80 percent of Americans believe the American dream is dead\u201d while billionaires hold outsized historical wealth.<\/p>\n

Trending: Caught With Nothing Saved for Retirement? These 5 Game\u2011Changing Tips Could Still Save You<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Khanna called for an urgent shift toward \u201cpatriotic capitalism, instead of an extractive capitalism\u201d to protect the foundational working class. He pointed out that while the capital class builds fortunes, essential workers like nurses, teachers, and firefighters \u201ccan\u2019t afford to even buy a house.\u201d<\/p>\n

Khanna warned that an entire younger generation now feels \u201cforsaken\u201d by an uneven system where a billionaire\u2019s influence skews public laws, leaving the bottom 80% squeezed out.<\/p>\n

\n

This is just intellectual nonsense @friedberg<\/a> and wouldn’t get a passing grade at a place like University Chicago in a freshman seminar. You know that.<\/p>\n

I can’t believe you are defending without a shred of introspection the unfair and lopsided economy where nearly 80 percent of\u2026 https:\/\/t.co\/p8PcGMcRaY<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) June 21, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

See Also: Think you\u2019re saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off \u2014 see why<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

How Have Markets Performed In 2026?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The S&P 500 index has advanced 9.36% year-to-date. Similarly, the Nasdaq Composite index was up 14.13%, and the Dow Jones gained 6.58% YTD.<\/p>\n

The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust<\/strong> and Invesco QQQ Trust ETF<\/strong> , which track the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100, respectively, closed higher on Thursday. The SPY ended up 1.04% at $746.74, while the QQQ advanced by 2.51% to $740,62.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Dow tracker, State Street SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust<\/strong>, closed 0.12% higher on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

Read Next: Still Learning the Market? These 50 Must-Know Terms Can Help You Catch Up Fast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That\u2019s why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn\u2019t tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.<\/p>\n

Arrived<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100<\/strong><\/a>. This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.<\/p>\n

BluSky AI<\/strong> <\/p>\n

The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence is creating significant demand for data centers, power, and compute infrastructure. BluSky AI is building modular AI data centers designed to support next-generation AI workloads while aiming to reduce deployment timelines compared to traditional facilities. <\/strong><\/a>For investors looking beyond AI software and applications, the company offers exposure to the infrastructure layer that makes artificial intelligence possible.<\/p>\n

ARK7<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Residential real estate has historically provided investors with income potential and long-term appreciation, but direct ownership can be expensive and time-consuming. ARK7 enables investors to buy fractional shares of rental properties, offering access to potential rental income and real estate exposure without property management responsibilities.<\/strong><\/a> By lowering the barrier to entry, the platform gives investors another way to diversify beyond traditional stocks and bonds.<\/p>\n

Doroni<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Electric aviation is an emerging industry with the potential to transform personal transportation and urban mobility. Doroni is developing eVTOL aircraft designed for personal use, aiming to combine the convenience of a car with the flexibility of vertical flight.<\/strong><\/a> As interest in advanced air mobility grows worldwide, the company is positioning itself within a sector that could play a significant role in the future of transportation.<\/p>\n

Immersed<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Immersed is building technology for the future of work through spatial computing<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong> Known for its AR\/VR productivity platform that enables users to work across multiple virtual screens, the company has grown to more than 1.5 million users worldwide. Immersed is also developing Visor, a lightweight headset designed specifically for professional productivity, positioning the company at the intersection of remote work, extended reality (XR), and next-generation computing.<\/p>\n

Miso Robotics<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Robotics and automation are becoming increasingly important tools for businesses facing labor shortages and rising operating costs. Miso Robotics develops AI-powered kitchen technology that is already being deployed in restaurant environments, with products designed to help operators improve efficiency and streamline operations.<\/strong><\/a> As artificial intelligence expands beyond software and into real-world applications, the company is positioning itself at the intersection of robotics, automation and the future of food service.<\/p>\n

Vinovest<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Fine wine and rare whiskey have historically moved independently of the stock market, making them a compelling alternative asset. Vinovest manages authenticated, insured portfolios of investment-grade wine and whiskey starting at $5,000<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 sourcing, storage, and insurance all handled for you.<\/p>\n

FarmTogether<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000<\/strong><\/a> \u2014 fully managed, with no landlord headaches.<\/p>\n

EquityMultiple<\/strong> <\/p>\n

For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000<\/strong>,<\/a> with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.<\/p>\n

Fundrise<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate<\/strong><\/a> and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth.<\/p>\n

American Hartford Gold<\/strong> <\/p>\n

American Hartford Gold is a precious metals dealer that helps clients buy physical gold and silver coins and bars, either for direct delivery or within self-directed precious metals IRAs.<\/strong><\/a> The company\u2019s services include gold and silver IRAs, IRA rollovers, and home delivery of bullion, giving investors a way to use tangible metals to diversify portfolios and seek protection against inflation and market volatility.<\/p>\n

Mode Mobile<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Mode Mobile is changing the way people interact with their phones by letting users earn money from the same apps and activities they already use every day.<\/strong><\/a> Instead of platforms keeping all the advertising revenue, Mode Mobile shares a portion back with users who engage with content, play games, and scroll on their devices. Named one of Deloitte\u2019s fastest-growing software companies in North America, the company has built a large beta user base and is scaling a model that turns everyday smartphone usage into a potential income stream.<\/p>\n

Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge’s one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights<\/strong><\/a> that can set you ahead in today’s competitive market.<\/p>\n