Global equity investors enjoyed strong, broad-based gains during the first quarter of 2012.
The Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 rose 12.6%, its best first-quarter rally since 1998. International markets, represented by the MSCI EAFE and MSCI Emerging Markets indices, posted 11.0% and 14.1% advances in U.S. dollar terms, respectively. For MSCI Emerging Markets, it was the strongest first-quarter gain since 1992. In aggregate, global equity market capitalization expanded by more than US$3 trillion during the period.
To read the full Principal Global Investors (PGI) Q1 Equity Market Recap, click here.