Happy Sunday, and welcome to Benzinga’s financial advisor newsletter.

Today we're discussing financial security. A new survey shows that 77% of Americans don’t feel financially secure, and over a quarter say it would take $150,000 to change that. As inflation lingers and wages stagnate, financial comfort now comes with a six-figure price tag for many Americans.

Plus, a look back at the last week of market activity.

Table of Contents

• Industry Chatter

• Weekly Market Recap

• The Week Ahead

INDUSTRY CHATTER

Majority of Americans Say They’ll Never Be Financially Secure

We all have a number in our heads — a salary that would make life feel easier. The bills would be paid, savings would grow, and maybe you’d splurge on something just because you can. But that number seems to be rising faster than most paychecks. And for a growing number of Americans, “comfortable” now means earning six figures — or more.

A new Bankrate survey asked Americans how they’re feeling about their financial stability. The short answer: not great. Seventy-seven percent of U.S. adults say they aren’t completely financially secure. That number has been creeping up over the past few years, even as inflation cools off. And it’s not just a feeling — inflation has chipped away at purchasing power.

A $100,000 salary in 2020 would need to be $124,000 today to keep up. So if your paycheck hasn’t grown since then, it feels like a $24,000 pay cut.

When asked what it would take to feel financially comfortable, more than one in four people said they’d need to earn at least $150,000 a year. That’s nearly double the national average salary of $81,515. In fact, more than half of Americans say they’d need more than they currently make to feel stable.

For some, that number is $200K. For others, $500K. And 26% say they wouldn’t feel rich until they hit $1 million a year.

Gen Xers are the least likely to feel financially secure, with 84% saying they don’t feel stable right now. Women are also falling behind — just 20% say they feel financially secure, compared to 26% of men. Lower earners are the most at risk: only 12% of those making under $50K say they feel secure.

Only 29% of Americans believe their version of the American Dream is still achievable. Gen Z is more hopeful, but overall, the idea of financial freedom is slipping further out of reach. What used to feel like “extra” — stability, breathing room, savings — now feels like the new minimum.

And for many, that starts at $150,000 a year.

WEEKLY MARKET RECAP

Wall Street Soars To Record Highs, Nvidia Becomes World's Most Valuable Company

Wall Street returned to record highs at the end of June, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 breaking above their February peaks, capping a powerful rebound from April’s tariff-driven losses.

Investor sentiment turned positive as geopolitical and trade risks eased. Oil prices slumped $12 to $65 after a symbolic Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Qatar failed to escalate tensions further.

President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire between Israel and Iran had been established, effectively ending the 12-day conflict.

During his two-day testimony before Congress, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said this year's tariff hikes are likely to raise prices and weigh on the economy, warranting caution on interest rate cuts.

Powell's neutral tone sparked renewed friction with President Trump, who continues to criticize the Fed chair and fuel speculation over a possible leadership change when Powell's term ends in May 2026.

Markets now anticipate that Trump's influence could lead to a more dovish pivot at the central bank. Traders are pricing in two rate cuts before year-end and persistent dollar weakness, with the U.S. Dollar Index falling to levels last seen in February 2022—before Russia's invasion of Ukraine—and heading for its worst half-year since 1991.

The stock rally gained momentum at the end of the week as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the U.S. reached a trade agreement with China. Officials also signaled progress in trade talks with at least 10 other countries, suggesting a softening stance from the White House toward protectionist policies.

In corporate news, Nvidia Corp. surged to new record highs, reaching a market capitalization of $3.85 trillion.

The AI-chip giant reclaimed the title of the world's most valuable publicly traded company, overtaking Microsoft Corp. once again amid continued dominance in the AI chip market.

On Friday, Trump announced an abrupt halt to all trade negotiations with Canada, a key U.S. trading partner, due to a Digital Services Tax on U.S. corporations. The move halted the market’s strong gains during the session and raised investor anxiety ahead of July’s 9 tariff deadline.

THE WEEK AHEAD

US Fed Chair Powell speaks, initial jobless claims, July 4 Holiday, and more

Economic Data

• Monday: Chicago Business Barometer PMI

• Tuesday: US Fed Chair Powell speaks and job openings

• Wednesday: US crude Oil Inventories and ADP employment

• Thursday: US initial jobless claims and trade deficit

• Friday: US July 4 Holiday

Earnings

• Monday: Woodside Energy (WDS), Progress Software (PRGS),

• Tuesday: Constellation Brands (STZ), MSC Industrial Direct (MSM)

• Wednesday: Haleon (HLN), Unifirst (UNF)

• Thursday: Ferrovial (FER), Telix Pharmaceuticals (TLX)

• Friday: July 4 Holiday

Click here for the full calendar of economic data and earnings reports.

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