In contrast, European equities have been a bright spot, with the EURO STOXX 50 index – a benchmark tracking the 50 largest blue-chip stocks across eurozone economies – rising 11% over the same period.

The S&P 500 index (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) has followed the Nasdaq Composite (NASDAQINDEX: ^IXIC) into correction territory, with both having fallen 10% from their peaks. That's got Wall Street worried that ...

The market for index funds continues to grow, and aside from the sheer variety of choices now available to retail investors, one of the biggest benefits has been steadily decreasing fees.