From a high of 65%, the number of Americans investing in the stock market has fallen to 52%. The greatest exodus has been the middle class who are leaving because: they don’t trust the stock market, used their savings to survive the Great Recession (the Second Great Depression), aren’t making enough to reinvest or are investing in real estate instead of stocks. Young adults are also less likely to invest for similar reasons. The result is that America has reached the lowest point of stock ownership since 1999, and undoubtedly before. The retirement crisis is already affecting the economy and lifestyles of many. Reducing the number of people investing in liquid assets suggests the next set of retirees won’t be in a better situation, unless something within the system shifts significantly.
(Click on the graph for the link.)
“Just Over Half Of Americans Own Stock” – Gallup
Pretending Not To Panic 