Market Pulse Index Report - 1Q 2026

The Equifax Market Pulse Index measures financial stability of U.S. consumers by combining five key factors: credit, debt, income, assets, and spending capacity using a single value from 1 to 100. In Q1’26, the Market Pulse Index dipped 1% to 60.9, its second straight quarter of decline. The Index tracks three consumer groups that represent the K-Shaped economy: highly stable "Thrivers," financially stressed "Strivers," and the "Middle" tier representing the traditional middle class.

While the Middle appears stable, 43% to 47% of all U.S. consumers are showing significant financial movement. Shrinking savings are pushing households toward the extremes of the K-shaped economy. Notably, 97% of consumers sliding downward from the Middle hold less than $100,000 in assets.

Download the report to uncover key insights on:

• The hidden movement of the Middle tier
• True consumer financial capacity
• Wealth and generational migration