The numbers: Total U.S. household net worth rose $5.5 trillion to a record $154.28 trillion in the second quarter, the Federal Reserve said Friday. This is the third straight quarterly increase.
Key details: The gain was boosted by a $2.6 trillion gain in stocks. The value of real estate holdings rose $2.5 trillion in the three months.
Household debt rose at a 2.7% annual rate in the second quarter. Mortgage debt grew at a 2.8% annual rate.
Big picture: The health of the consumer has been a big factor in the surprising strength of the U.S. economy this year. Talk of a recession has vanished and the economy seems to be strengthening as the year progresses.
Market reaction: Stocks
DJIA
SPX
were higher in Friday trading while the 10-year Treasury yield
BX:TMUBMUSD10Y
rose to 4.26%.
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