A recent analysis highlights that stock market participation in the United States is widespread but unevenly distributed across income and racial groups. Approximately 58% of U.S. families own stocks in some form, with ownership rates varying significantly by race: 66% of white families, 39% of Black families, and 28% of Hispanic families participate in the stock market. Income disparities are also notable, as the top 1% of earners hold 40% of all stocks, while the bottom 40% of Americans own almost none. Even among lower-income groups, about one-third of individuals earning less than $40,000 have some stock ownership. The growing involvement of over 127 million Americans in mutual funds and stock markets means that market volatility now directly affects middle-class wealth and potentially influences voting behavior. These findings suggest that traditional measures of economic health based on stock market performance may not fully reflect the financial realities faced by working families, who contend with challenges in affording essentials such as food, housing, healthcare, and education.