Our 2011 Outlook, published in November 2010, was entitled A Mix of Clouds and Sun. So far in 2011, we have not seen the dark storms of 2008 or the bright skies of 2009 and 2010. From an economic and market perspective, the year 2011 can be characterized instead as having experienced patches of clouds and sun with some ups and downs in the economy and markets. Overall, the investing climate of 2011 has been favorable. Two years after the green shoots of economic growth were first evident in mid-2009, they have blossomed and taken root.

Neither bulls nor bears, LPL Financial Research continues to expect the markets and the U.S. economy will be range-bound in 2011. Bound by economic and fiscal forces that will restrain growth, but not reverse it, we adhere to our prior forecast for modest single-digit rates of return: high singledigits for stocks and low single-digits for bonds.

In 2011, business leaders, policymakers, and investors will play important roles in shaping the investing environment."

Download the full-version of Mid-Year Market Outlook 2011: click here to download (PDF).