Economist Steve Moore just dropped some interesting numbers about American household finances. According to his analysis, median family income has climbed roughly $1,200 over the first ten months of this year — and that's accounting for inflation.

What's worth noting here? Real income growth often signals stronger consumer spending power, which historically correlates with increased risk appetite in markets. When households have more disposable income after covering basics, discretionary investments tend to follow.

This kind of macro data doesn't exist in a vacuum. Rising household wealth can fuel everything from equity markets to alternative assets, as families look for places to park their gains. The inflation-adjusted growth part is particularly relevant — it means purchasing power is actually expanding, not just nominal numbers inflating.