Defensive stocks won't shield investors

In the recent rally, stocks that traditionally have been regarded as safe did better than they usually do in bull markets

A rising stock market has always been a sign investors are taking on more risk. What made the recently stalled rally odd are the types of stocks where that risk-taking was concentrated.

From the start of the year to its peak on May 21-the day before Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke intimated that the central bank might begin to scale back its bond buying programme this fall-the S&P 500 rose 17%.

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