Last year was a nightmare for most investors. Despite the fact that the US stock market finished the year without any major changes, other stock markets around the world were bearish and volatile.

 

US stock indexes were volatile as well. In particular, S&P500 deviated by 300 points (9%). A rally was followed by a 22% decline, which in its turn was followed by a 20% rally.

 

The following factors contributed to such dynamics:

 

·          The Japanese disasters (tsunamis, earthquakes, followed by the Fucushima-1 meltdown).

·         The revolutions in Tunis, Egypt and other Arab states.

·         The US credit rating cut.

·         The eurozone crisis.    Read more...