US household wealth hit high in first quarter, fueled by rising stock markets and home values

WASHINGTON – Rising stock markets and home prices helped lift U.S. household wealth to a record in the first three months of the year.

The Federal Reserve says household net worth increased $1.5 trillion in the first quarter to $81.8 trillion. The gain was driven by higher home prices, which boosted Americans' home values $758 billion. A rising, if choppy, stock market pushed up stock and mutual fund holdings $361 billion.

Checking account balances, pensions plan assets and retirement savings, such as 401(k)s, also rose.

The Fed's figures aren't adjusted for population growth or inflation. And the wealth is flowing mainly to affluent Americans: Roughly 10 percent of households own about 80 percent of stocks.

Since the first quarter ended, stock and home prices have risen further, boosting household wealth even higher.