[By NBC-1TV H. J Yook]The Russell Asia Pacific Defensive Index reflected a (-7.3%) year-to-date, through December 13, significantly outperforming the Russell Asia Pacific Dynamic Index which reflected a (-19.8%) loss for the same time period. The Russell Asia Pacific Index reflected a (-14.6%) return year-to-date through December 13.

“While Asia will not be immune to tighter credit conditions in Europe, we do see some positive news coming out of the region. Inflation appears to have peaked, market share valuations are attractive across the region and China, specifically, has scope to significantly ease monetary conditions,” said Russell Investments Asia Pacific Chief Investment Strategist Andrew Pease in the firm's recently released 2012 Global Outlook.

Quarter-to-date, the Russell Asia Pacific Defensive Index posted a (1.7%) return through December 13, while the Russell Asia Pacific Index (0.6%) and the Russell Asia Pacific Index (1.1%) underperformed for the same time period.

The Russell Defensive & Dynamic Indexes split the broad global equity market in half based on a combination of stability factors; the more stable half is called “Defensive” and the less stable half is called “Dynamic.” The new Russell Global Defensive and Dynamic Indexes follow the same global-relative composition as the Russell Global Indexes. Stocks are ranked by sector and style across regions, rather than country-by-country, to better reflect how investors now approach the global markets.