Happy Sunday, and welcome to Benzinga’s financial advisor newsletter.

Today we're discussing young investors. A survey reveals that younger investors report higher financial stress, often tied to income, debt, and uncertainty about long-term goals. Financial stress appears to be a growing concern for younger investors, with planning and goal-setting linked to lower stress levels.

Plus, a look back at the last week of market activity.

Table of Contents

• Industry Chatter

• Weekly Market Recap

• The Week Ahead

INDUSTRY CHATTER

What’s Driving Anxiety for Investors Under 35

It’s no secret that investing can be stressful—but for younger investors, that pressure may be building faster than expected. Despite having more time to weather market cycles, many investors under 35 report feeling financially insecure, dissatisfied, and uncertain about their financial future.

A recent survey conducted by Janus Henderson, the Financial Planning Association, and Investopedia set out to measure stress levels among both investors and financial advisors. The results showed clear generational differences. Investors under 35 were far more likely to say they’re struggling to get ahead financially. Many reported earning just enough—or not enough—to cover basic expenses, which leaves little room for saving or investing.

Major factors like student debt, flat wage growth, and economic aftershocks from the 2008 financial crisis seem to be contributing the most. While unemployment has declined in recent years, wages for younger workers haven’t kept pace. Inflation-adjusted starting salaries for college grads still lag behind pre-crisis levels, and that gap may be shaping how younger investors think about their finances.

The stress isn’t limited to money. Many younger respondents said financial pressure spills into their day-to-day lives, affecting their mood, focus, and ability to make decisions. Research suggests that long-term stress can actually impair the brain’s ability to weigh risk or adapt to changing circumstances, which could influence financial behavior over time.

Still, the survey offered one encouraging takeaway. Investors of all ages who had a written financial plan and set long-term goals reported lower levels of stress overall. While a plan may not solve every issue, it appears to offer some reassurance—especially for those in the earlier stages of building wealth.

As economic trends continue to shift, tools that promote planning and clarity may become even more important for younger investors looking to feel more secure.

WEEKLY MARKET RECAP

Wall Street Ends Holiday Week At Record Highs As Jobs, Trade Deal Lift Sentiment

Wall Street powered through the shortened holiday week, with both the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100 climbing to fresh record highs, as upbeat economic data and major policy shifts helped fuel investor confidence.

Optimism got an extra boost after President Donald Trump announced a surprise trade deal with Vietnam. The agreement includes a 20% tariff on all Vietnamese imports and a 40% tariff on transshipped goods. In return, U.S. companies will get full access to Vietnam's domestic market, a key win for American exporters.

Markets responded positively, with investors viewing it as a signal that Trump is favoring targeted trade enforcement over sweeping tariffs.

Congress Passes Trump’s OBBBA, Economic Data Outperform

The U.S. Senate passed the bill on July 1, 2025, in a narrow 51–50 vote, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the tie-breaking vote.

The House of Representatives followed on July 3, approving the final version of the bill in a 218–214 vote.

The White House announced that President Donald Trump will sign the bill into law on July 4, 2025, at 4 p.m. ET—a symbolic moment timed with Independence Day.

Labor market data surpassed expectations: Nonfarm payrolls rose by 147,000 in June, exceeding the projection of 110,000. The unemployment rate dropped to 4.1%, defying forecasts for a rise to 4.3% and hitting its lowest level since January. A big surprise came from government hiring, which added 73,000 jobs — the largest jump since March 2023.

On the industrial side, new orders for U.S. manufactured goods jumped 8.2% in May to $642 billion. This was the largest monthly surge since 2014 and the third-largest on record, as firms moved quickly to capitalize on the temporary suspension of "Liberation Day" tariffs.

This economic resilience complicates the Federal Reserve's outlook for near-term rate cuts. Chair Jerome Powell said the door remains open for a potential rate cut at the July 30 meeting, though he emphasized the importance of incoming data. Yet, after the robust jobs report, market-based odds for a cut fell sharply to just 7%.

In tech news, Microsoft Corp. announced a new round of layoffs affecting 9,000 employees — about 4% of its global workforce.

Michigan-based automakers were among the week's top gainers. Ford Motor Co. jumped 10% this week after reporting a 14% year-over-year increase in second-quarter U.S. vehicle sales, reaching 612,095 units. The surge was led by strong demand for its Maverick and F-Series pickup trucks.

General Motors Co. also topped the week’s best-performer ranking after posting a 7% rise in quarterly sales to 746,588 vehicles.

THE WEEK AHEAD

US monthly federal budget, Delta Air Lines and Levi Strauss earnings, and more

Economic Data

• Monday: Chicago PMI

• Tuesday: US consumer credit and NFIB optimism index

• Wednesday: US Fed FOMC meeting minutes and wholesale inventories

• Thursday: US initial jobless claims and 30-year bond auction

• Friday: US monthly federal budget and GB GDP

Earnings

• Monday: Barnes & Noble Education (BNED)

• Tuesday: Kura Sushi (KRUS), Saratoga Investment (SAR)

• Wednesday: AZZ (AZZ), Pure Cycle (PCYO)

• Thursday: Delta Air Lines (DAL), Levi Strauss (LEVI)

• Friday: Vista Energy (VIST), Unity Bancorp (UNTY)

Click here for the full calendar of economic data and earnings reports.

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