Despite a large sell-off on Friday, equity markets posted strong gains heading into the home stretch for 2012. The S&P 500 rose 1.21 percent, while small-cap stocks, measured by the Russell 2000 Index, were the biggest winners, gaining more than 3 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average held true to form: it not only lagged on the week but it is behind year-to-date as well. Read more now.
