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Investing.com -- In a note Friday, Yardeni Research questioned whether the Federal Reserve is about to inject more stimulus into an economy that already looks strong.
Ed Yardeni wrote: “The bull market in stocks is making everyone who owns stocks richer,” pointing to Gallup data showing that 62% of Americans held equities at the end of 2024, the highest since 2008.
At the end of the first quarter of 2025, U.S. households owned $46.7 trillion in equities and mutual fund shares, according to Yardeni Research.
Baby Boomers controlled 54% of that total, with a combined net worth exceeding $82 trillion. “They are the richest retiring generation in history,” Yardeni noted, adding that many are continuing to see their wealth rise as the S&P 500 hits record highs.
With the Fed widely expected to cut rates on Sept. 17, Yardeni argued that “the stock market will continue to rise as valuation multiples continue to melt up. The positive wealth effect will continue to stimulate the economy, which doesn’t really need to be stimulated.”
The research note highlighted several signs of economic strength. Initial jobless claims remain low, second-quarter real GDP growth was revised higher to 3.3%, and real gross domestic income surged 4.8%. Corporate cash flow stayed at a record $4 trillion, supporting capital spending, especially in technology.
Yardeni also cited evidence of rising inflationary pressures. The average of prices-paid indexes from five Federal Reserve district surveys jumped to 56.0 in August, the highest since October 2022.
“More companies may start to pass their costs on to consumers in the coming months,” Yardeni warned, raising the question of whether Fed easing risks overheating an already hot economy.