From Investopedia:
The financial crisis of 2008, the one where the Dow Jones shed over half its value, made investors rightfully skittish about putting their money in stocks. Many people took their money out of the market entirely, which, of course, exacerbated the situation by putting selling pressure on securities.
Once the dust settled, the recovery – at least where stocks are concerned – was robust and V-shaped. In 2014, the Dow surpassed its previous high that was set in 2007. As of June 2015, it sits at 18,000, which is 28% higher than its pre-crash peak.
When it became clear that the stock market recovery was legit, not a dead cat bounce, investors clamored to get off the sidelines and back into the market. With the renewed bull market entering its sixth year, many investors have finally regained the confidence to put their money back in stocks for the long haul. As a result, the search is on for the best stocks to buy and hold over the next 10 years.