According to an analysis by Yahoo Finance, the S&P 500 Index has hit record highs approximately 23 times in 2026, but at the same time, consumer sentiment is at an all-time low, creating a massive divide between “Wall Street and the general public.” A CNBC survey found that 61% of respondents are pessimistic about the economic outlook. Analysts believe this disconnect may stem from two major factors: first, the overvaluation of artificial intelligence (AI) companies. New York University professor Scott Galloway points out that 40% of the S&P 500 is tied to AI companies and warns that some AI stocks could fall by 40% to 70%, triggering a recession; second, the wealth gap, an analysis from 2025 revealed that nearly 87% of U.S. stocks are held by the wealthiest 10% of households, meaning the benefits of the market boom are concentrated among a select few, while ordinary people face wage stagnation, AI-driven layoffs, and a cost-of-living crisis.