Although the U.S. showed the greatest gains in the quarter, Europe also surprised market observers because expectations for activity were so low given stock markets' volatility in much of 2011, largely the result of concern about the euro-zone debt crisis.

WSJ: IPOs: Bright Spot in the U.S., Question in China

Because of the volatility in the stock markets, it makes little sense to use them as short term investments.

FORBES: Too Much Cash Becomes a Really Serious Business Problem

Individual investors placed a greater emphasis on return of capital last month because of the volatility in the stock markets.

FORBES: Skittish Investors Cling To Bonds Despite Low Rates

Jussi Pylkkanen, president of Christie's Europe, was particularly keen to dispel any concerns over the recent volatility in the stock markets and show that it was business as usual.

ECONOMIST: Sugaring the pill at this week��s auctions

The decline in stock and stock fund allocations occurred as volatility returned to the equity markets.

FORBES: AAII Survey: Investors Opt For Fixed-Income

After posting 12 consecutive annual price rises, gaining more than 500% over that span, gold is suddenly being shunned by investors who once saw it as a way to generate outsize returns without the volatility and uneven performance in the stock, bond and real-estate markets.

WSJ: Gold Plummets to Two-Year Low