All in all, the major asset classes identified have experienced negative returns in about 25 percent to 40 percent of the 120 calendar quarters covering the last 30 years. The more asset classes included in a portfolio, the lower the risk.

The Department of Labors re-proposal of rules that would define who is a fiduciary could end up costing $20 billion to $32 billion in retirement savings.

Demand at the U.S. auction of $35 billion of five-year notes from a group that includes pension funds and insurers approached the highest level in almost a year amid speculation on the Federal Reserves agenda and turmoil in Ukraine.