The 2008 recession and college costs have left a generation cynical about stock markets. 

The 2008 recession and college costs have left a generation cynical about stock markets. According to a MarketCast survey for the Wall Street Journal, nearly half of 23-to-38-year-old Millennials feel overwhelmed by financial obligations, compared to 39% of Gen Z and 31% of Boomers, and more than half “think their generation’s American dream has been upended.” Building an emergency fund is the focus for 60% of Millennials, while 50% say they want to invest but just don’t know where to begin—and around 37% don’t trust financial institutions. YPulse’s personal finance and services survey found that 49% of 19-to-37-year-olds currently have investments. (WSJ)