Wealthier consumers have become extremely important to the U.S. economy. The top ten percent of consumers now account for a record percentage of all consumer spending, and last year, that group accounted for almost one-third of gross domestic product. With debt increasing and wage growth declining among all income groups, equity and asset appreciation has been a big driver of wealth accumulation and has attributed to a wealth effect. Companies that rely on middle-income consumers are struggling, while companies relying on high-end consumers are beginning to see signs of weakness. A sustained decline in equity markets and assets would likely send consumer spending spiraling downward.