Big Take Podcast

Why a K-Shaped US Economy Is Raising Red Flags

On today’s Big Take podcast: what the K-shaped economy means for consumers, businesses, and the stability of the US economic system.

A shopper in the toy aisle of a store on Black Friday in Chicago.Photographer: Bloomberg/Bloomberg

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The US economy appears remarkably resilient right now, but if you look closer, you’ll see a different picture emerge: a growing divide between America’s wealthiest consumers and everyone else. Economists call this kind of bifurcated economy “K-shaped.” And as the top and bottom of the K have diverged, the overall economy has also become more top-heavy and more fragile.