The year that was(n't)
With one trading week left in the year, many investors view 2011 as a year to forget.
All data available as of Dec. 22. Source: Bloomberg LP, Morningstar Inc.
Uncertainty about Middle East governments, European sovereign debt and the U.S. budget deficit strained equity returns in 2011.
Investors rebuffed the first-ever downgrade of U.S. debt. In a flight to safety, money piled into long-term Treasuries after S&P's decision in August.
The Japanese yen and Australian dollar have posted the largest total returns among major currencies to date in 2011.
Target-date funds reflected the broader market trends as funds with heavier fixed-income allocations have fared the best so far in 2011.
