2012 in review
Despite political and economic uncertainty, the bull market in U.S. equities continued, while fixed-income indexes largely trailed 2011.
All data are through Dec. 18. Source: Bloomberg LP
With a little more than one trading week left in the year, domestic and international equities have made up for lackluster returns posted in 2011.
High-yield debt was the belle of the fixed-income ball in 2012. Investors moved further out on the risk spectrum in search of yield, and increased demand fueled strong price gains.
REITs and listed infrastructure benefited from market inertia, while more pure-play real return assets like commodities and TIPS lagged in 2012.
The most severe U.S. drought in decades led to increases in the prices of crops like corn and soy- beans. Corn futures rose 51% between June 1 and August 21 before falling 14% through December 18.
