US Household Net Worth

US household net worth rose 1.7% in Q1, according to the flow of funds report just out.  This is a net figure.  It is the household assets minus liabilities.  In Q1, household equity and pension funds increased in value and this offset the decline in real estate.

The increase in household net worth was modest in percentage terms, it rose $943 bln in Q1 and now stands at a little more than $58 trillion.
  

To put the  $943 bln quarterly increase in perspective, consider that it is more than the sum total of the annual output of Greece, Portugal and Ireland combined. 

This quarter does not look as good.  The Russell 3000 is off about 3% and property prices.