A Look Back: Stocks Surge on Improving Economic Data U.S. equities staged a significant comeback during the fourth quarter with the S&P 500 Index gaining 11.8%. This performance followed a dismal third quarter that saw major indices around the world fall double digits due to worries about the global economy, the possibility of a double

2011: A Look Back 2011 ended with the S&P 500 almost flat after a tumultuous year. As Europe continued to be of concern, markets loved the coordinated central bank maneuver that ensured liquidity across global financial systems in order to calm panicky investors. Although a global economic slowdown is very real, given the possibility of