The prosperity of this top cohort is not driven by wage growth. While their wages have risen, they have stagnated relative to the explosive returns on capital. Instead, their consumption is driven by the "Wealth Effect." New analysis shows that 70% of recent economic growth is now driven by just 20% of earners. These consumers aren't spending wages; they are spending paper gains tethered to a market bubble.
It's human nature to judge your personal economics and mood on how you feel, influenced heavily by conscious and subconscious comparisons to others. So it's possible President Trump is right: U.S. growth and stocks soar in 2026. But even then, because the AI-connected hyperwealthy do so much better than everyone else, fear and resentment still grow. It's also possible the AI bubble pops, and everyone suffers. But the Have-Lots will (mostly) still have lots.
Chief Executive Steve Squeri hailed millennial and Gen Z Platinum members as "very comfortable paying for its exceptional value and highly engaged in the product," underscoring the company's successful push to attract a new generation of premium customers. The company posted net income of $2.9 billion, reflecting a 16% increase over the prior year. Earnings per share rose 19% to $4.14, topping analyst estimates of $3.99.
