 K-Shaped Economy: Consumers in Depression, Stock Market at All-Time Highs A breakdown of the macroeconomic picture as of May 8, 2026. What happened: U.S. consumer confidence has plummeted to a record low of 48.2 points — lower than during the peak of the pandemic. Americans have never been this pessimistic. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq are hitting all-time highs. WTI crude oil fell 7% over the week — below $95. Trump stated that the ceasefire with Iran is holding despite skirmishes. Copper is near a record $6.2 per pound, driven by the AI boom and power grid modernization. Wage growth is slower than expected (+0.2% month-over-month), and Canada's unemployment rate surged to 6.9%. What this means: A classic K-shaped scenario: one part of the economy (consumers, retail) is in recession, while another (tech, AI infrastructure, commodities) is on the rise. Investors are betting on the future of AI infrastructure, while ordinary people are tightening their belts. For us as a project — copper and AI infrastructure confirm that the trend toward automation and AI agents is only gaining momentum. In a crisis, businesses look for ways to cut costs, and AI agents are among the most effective solutions.