“Between a U.S. credit rating downgrade and turmoil in Europe, investors in financial markets endured one of the most gut-wrenching years in recent memory in 2011. And instead of following big-name hedge fund or mutual-fund managers, investors were better off parking their money in U.S. government bonds or some of the stodgiest blue-chip companies. The Dow Jones Industrial Average ended the year up nearly 6%.”