The Shanghai Composite finished 1.7% lower at 2147.96, its lowest level since March 2009, while Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index ended the day up 0.2% at 19121.34, as the poor performance of commodity and transportation stocks was offset by shares in local conglomerates and gaming stocks.

WSJ: Australian Miners Rally, China Slips

As an example how the lower risk without sacrificing performance works, with a buy signal on the Transportation sector we bought the iShares Transportation ETF, symbol IYT, in December rather than a selection of individual transportation stocks.

FORBES: Swear Off Individual Stocks For Better Returns

If there are fewer shipments, it will result in declining earnings for transportation firms, and may ultimately serve as a harbinger of poor performance for the Industrials as a whole.

FORBES: Don't Become Comfortably Numb To Stock Market Risks After Large Rally

Private researchers who analyzed federal data on airline performance also said in a report being released Monday that consumer complaints to the Department of Transportation surged by one-fifth last year even though other measures such as on-time arrivals and mishandled baggage show airlines are doing a better job.

NPR: Airline Passenger Complaints Surged In 2012