# Global and US wealth concentration trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-us-wealth-concentration-trends > Updated: 2026-08-24T15:45:42.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Research and economic data indicate a significant trend of wealth concentration at both the market and global levels. A century-long study of the US stock market from 1926 to 2025 reveals that wealth creation follows a power law, where a tiny fraction of companies—specifically 46 firms—contributed half of the $91 trillion in net wealth created. While many stocks destroyed shareholder wealth, recent gains have been heavily driven by major technology companies. On a global scale, the number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals is rising. Data shows that the wealth of ultra-rich Americans surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, coinciding with increased market values for top companies. While the United States leads in absolute growth of the ultra-wealthy, countries such as Poland and Qatar are seeing the fastest percentage increases. This concentration of wealth has been linked to deteriorating indicators regarding poverty and inequality, such as those outlined in the UN 2030 Agenda. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-24: Global wealth concentration rises as ultra-rich populations surge Global wealth is concentrating rapidly, with US ultra-wealthy populations surging and extreme wealth growth accelerating in nations like Poland and Qatar, despite rising global inequality. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/global-wealth-concentration-rises-as-ultra-rich-populations-surge ### 2026-08-24: US stock market wealth concentration revealed in century-long study A century-long study of the US stock market (1926–2025) shows that wealth creation is highly concentrated, with a tiny fraction of companies generating the vast majority of the market's $91 trillion in net gain 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-stock-market-wealth-concentration-revealed-in-century-long-study --- Cite as: Global and US wealth concentration trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-and-us-wealth-concentration-trends