>The 2008 financial crisis was caused by a number of factors, including subprime mortgage lending, derivative securities, and the failure of major financial institutions. The housing market bubble burst in 2007-2008, leading to widespread foreclosures and evictions. This led to a domino effect throughout the economy, as businesses failed and people lost their jobs. The stock market crashed in September 2008, losing trillions of dollars in value. Major banks collapsed and had to be bailed out by the government. The recession lasted for several years afterwards, causing hardship for millions of people around the world. There are a few ways that investors can profit from a recession: buying distressed assets at low prices (such as foreclosed homes), shorting stocks or investing in inverse ETFs (which go up when markets fall), or simply holding cash until conditions improve.