Russell Eurozone Index Reflected a 20.1% YTD 2012 Gain as of 12/17 as Russell Investments Predicts Continued "Downward Spiral...
December 19 2012 - 10:51AM
Marketwired
The Russell Eurozone Index reflected a return of 20.1% year-to-date
as of December 17th, 2012. Northern European countries enjoyed the
strongest gains within the Eurozone Index, with Belgium (37.2%)*,
Austria (35.4%) and Germany (31.0%) leading the way year-to-date as
of 12/17. In Southern Europe, Greece (19.9%) led the way
year-to-date as of 12/17, while Spain (1.5%) had the lowest
year-to-date return within the Index.
In Russell Investments' recently released 2013 Annual Global
Outlook, its team of global investment strategists highlight core
expectations for capital markets along with their outlook for the
central investment issues in 2013. The outlook asserts that solving
the eurocrisis will require a different policy mix than the one
currently in place.
"We feel the current mix of policies is incapable of allowing
Southern European countries to escape their debt trap," said
Russell Investments' Chief Markets Strategist Stephen Wood.
"Unfortunately, we believe we are unlikely to see such a policy mix
being implemented in 2013. The downward spiral of negative growth
in Southern Europe therefore may not be broken, which may lead to a
potential worsening of the solvency problems and a continuation of
the crisis."
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Index / Index Country Constituent YTD Returns as of 12/17/12
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Russell Eurozone Index 20.1%
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Belgium 37.2%
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Austria 35.4%
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Germany 31.0%
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France 23.0%
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Ireland 21.4%
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Greece 19.9%
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Finland 18.0%
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Italy 12.6%
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Netherlands 10.3%
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Portugal 8.8%
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Luxembourg 8.3%
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Spain 1.5%
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Source: Russell Investments
Opinions expressed by Mr. Wood reflect market performance and
observations as of December 17, 2012 and are subject to change at
any time based on market or other conditions without notice. Please
remember that past performance does not guarantee future
performance.
Disclaimer:
http://www.russell.com/indexes/about/index_alerts.asp#disclaimer