How Much Does the Average Rich Person Have in the Stock Market?

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The stock market was the primary driver of wealth in 2025, according to CNBC. 

The value of corporate equities and mutual fund shares held by the top 10% rose from $39 trillion to $44 trillion. Meanwhile, the latest Federal Reserve data highlighted the concentration of stock ownership among the top 1%. As of Q3 2025, the top 1% alone owned half (50.2%) of all U.S. corporate equities and mutual fund shares.  

Let’s examine how stocks drive wealth growth at the top and key takeaways based on the advice of a wealth counselor.

Why Stocks Drive Wealth Growth at the Top  

Backed by decades of data, the stock market has generally performed better than fixed-income assets. In many ways, this makes sense given that stocks come with more uncertainty and risk. 

Elaine Loo, associate investment advisor at the Stan Clark Financial Team at CIBC Wood Gundy, pointed out that from 1920 to 2019, an investor who owned U.S. and Canadian equities would have seen an average annual return of 10.9% (8.2% when adjusted for inflation).

By contrast, during that same period, bonds returned 4.9% (2.3% when adjusted for inflation). Put another way, the investor who held diversified equity holdings saw returns 3.6 times greater than the bond owner.  

This does not mean past performance guarantees future results. And to reiterate, stocks come with more risk and heightened volatility.

What Actually Works for Average Investors?

To investigate this question, GOBankingRates spoke with Paul Ferrara, senior wealth counselor at Avenue Investment Management. Ferrara advised that the most effective approach, for most people, is “long-term thinking, broad diversification and goal-oriented planning.” 

A MarketWatch column by economist Gary Smith corroborated Ferrara’s outlook, showing that simply buying and holding an S&P 500 index fund has outperformed most major university endowment funds. From 2016 to 2025, the average annual return on endowment funds from the top Ivy League colleges was 9.2%, compared with 13.7% for the S&P 500. 

Editor’s note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Always consider your individual circumstances and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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