Survey: Income
inequality strains nation’s economy
By Christopher S.
Rugaber
Associated Press — The growing gap between the richest Americans and everyone else isn’t bad just for individuals.
It’s hurting the U.S. economy.
So says a majority of more than three dozen economists surveyed last week. Their concerns tap into a debate that has intensified as middleclass pay has stagnated while wealthier households have thrived.
A key source of the economists’ concern: Higher pay and outsize stock market gains are flowing mainly to affluent Americans. Yet these households spend less of their money than do low- and middle-income consumers who make up most of the population but whose pay is barely rising.
“What you want is a broader spending base,” said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James, a financial advisory firm. “You want more people spending money.”
Gap expands through years
Spending by wealthier Americans, given the weight of their dollars, does help drive the economy. But analysts say the economy would be better able to sustain growth if the riches were more evenly dispersed.
For one thing, a plunge in stock prices typically leads wealthier Americans to cut sharply back on their spending.
“The broader the improvement, the more likely it will be sustained,” said Michael Niemira, chief economist at the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Income inequality has steadily worsened in recent decades, according to government data and academic studies. The most recent census figures show the average income for the wealthiest 5 percent of U.S. households, adjusted for inflation, has surged 17 percent in the past 20 years. By contrast, average income for the middle 20 percent of households has risen less than 5 percent.
Most see Fed keeping policy
The AP survey collected the views of private, corporate and academic economists on a range of issues.
Among the topics were what policy decisions, if any, the Federal Reserve might announce after it ends a policy meeting Wednesday.
Three-quarters of the economists surveyed don’t think the Fed is ready to announce a pullback in its economic stimulus. Speculation has been rising that the Fed will soon scale back its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases because of the economy’s steady gains. The bond purchases have been intended to keep long term loan rates low to induce people to borrow and spend.
Most of the economists don’t think the economy needs the Fed’s help. Just more than half say they believe growth could reach a healthy 3 percent annual pace even without the Fed’s bond buying.
Associated Press — The growing gap between the richest Americans and everyone else isn’t bad just for individuals.
It’s hurting the U.S. economy.
So says a majority of more than three dozen economists surveyed last week. Their concerns tap into a debate that has intensified as middleclass pay has stagnated while wealthier households have thrived.
A key source of the economists’ concern: Higher pay and outsize stock market gains are flowing mainly to affluent Americans. Yet these households spend less of their money than do low- and middle-income consumers who make up most of the population but whose pay is barely rising.
“What you want is a broader spending base,” said Scott Brown, chief economist at Raymond James, a financial advisory firm. “You want more people spending money.”
Gap expands through years
Spending by wealthier Americans, given the weight of their dollars, does help drive the economy. But analysts say the economy would be better able to sustain growth if the riches were more evenly dispersed.
For one thing, a plunge in stock prices typically leads wealthier Americans to cut sharply back on their spending.
“The broader the improvement, the more likely it will be sustained,” said Michael Niemira, chief economist at the International Council of Shopping Centers.
Income inequality has steadily worsened in recent decades, according to government data and academic studies. The most recent census figures show the average income for the wealthiest 5 percent of U.S. households, adjusted for inflation, has surged 17 percent in the past 20 years. By contrast, average income for the middle 20 percent of households has risen less than 5 percent.
Most see Fed keeping policy
The AP survey collected the views of private, corporate and academic economists on a range of issues.
Among the topics were what policy decisions, if any, the Federal Reserve might announce after it ends a policy meeting Wednesday.
Three-quarters of the economists surveyed don’t think the Fed is ready to announce a pullback in its economic stimulus. Speculation has been rising that the Fed will soon scale back its $85 billion in monthly bond purchases because of the economy’s steady gains. The bond purchases have been intended to keep long term loan rates low to induce people to borrow and spend.
Most of the economists don’t think the economy needs the Fed’s help. Just more than half say they believe growth could reach a healthy 3 percent annual pace even without the Fed’s bond buying.
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