Equifax Market Pulse Index edges up to 61.3 in Q2, halting K-shaped gap widening
EFX•Equifax said its Market Pulse Index rose to 61.3 in Q2 2026 as the widening K-shaped economic gap paused. Thrivers grew 3.2%, Strivers fell 4.2%, and the Middle grew 0.9%.
1. Different financial outcomes
Thrivers expanded 3.2% in Q2, while Strivers contracted 4.2%, their sharpest decline since Q4 2023; the Middle grew 0.9%. Assets remained the key dividing line: nearly 78% of Thrivers had more than $1 million in assets, while over 97% of Strivers had less than $100,000 and 81% earned under $65,000.
2. Stability and sentiment
Financial stability improved across all generations, and late payments eased to 1.9% from 2.1%. Consumer sentiment slid to 49.5.
