Consumer sentiment drops sharply among non-stock owners; inflation expectations rise to 4.7%

Consumer sentiment among the bottom 33% of stockholders fell 27% since January 2026, and sentiment among non-stock owners fell 25%, according to data cited by a financial commentary account. By contrast, sentiment among the top third of stockholders fell only 7%. One-year inflation expectations rose to 4.7%, the second-highest reading since August 2025. The divergence highlights the protective role of asset ownership against rising living costs.