Every year LPL Financial Research compiles its Outlook for the following year to let investors know where we believe the markets are heading and how to best position portfolios. As 2010 gets underway the markets are likely to continue to perform as well as they have through the latter part of 2009. However, following a solid start, we expect a challenging second half of 2010. We anticipate the extraordinary global policy efforts that created a tailwind for markets in 2009 will fade, or even transition, to headwinds that may contribute to a renewed slowdown in the economy and a potentially challenging latter half of 2010 for investors.

To read the rest of our Outlook 2010, click here to download it now (PDF).

This research material was prepared by LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide or be construed as providing specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual security. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly.

Economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.

The S&P 500 Index is a capitalization-weighted index of 500 stocks designed to measure performance of the broad domestic economy through changes in the aggregate market value of 500 stocks representing all major industries.

All investing involves risk including loss of principal.