Summary Box: Stocks flat in 2011; utilities up big (AP)

STOCKS FLAT: Despite a tumultuous ride, the S&P 500 index closed nearly unchanged for 2011. It ended at 1,257.60 Friday, just 0.04 point below where it started the year.

BEST OF THE BAD: U.S. stocks delivered little, but other markets did even worse, including ones in fast-growing economies. Brazil's Bovespa index fell 18 percent in 2011. Hong Kong's Hang Seng dropped 20 percent.

PLAYING IT SAFE PAYS: Stocks of one of the most conservative industries ? utilities ? rose 15 percent. That was the biggest gain for the S&P's ten sectors. Consumer staples were up 11 percent.

Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/stocks/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20111230/ap_on_bi_ge/us_wall_street_summary_box

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