U.S. households are 5.8% wealthier than they were this time a year ago, according to the
Mutual fund holdings increased in value by $83 billion, while corporate equities rose $225 billion.
Borrowing, especially for homes, on the other hand, grew at the slowest rate since 1998.
Household assets overall were $67 trillion, an increase of $1.04 trillion since last year. Debt grew by $267 billion, to $13 trillion. Overall net worth, calculated as the difference between liabilities and assets, hit $54.06 trillion.
Although overall financial investment fell by $265 billion, in aggregate, U.S. investors collected $864 billion worth of capital gains.
Real estate holdings increased in value by $120 billion, the lowest surge in the past nine years. Owner equity hit a record low of $53.6%, compared to almost 58% in 2000.
Total debt hit 52.7% of net worth, the highest average since 2002.
