SEATTLE, WA -- (Marketwire) -- 02/12/13 -- As the fourth quarter 2012 corporate earnings reporting session continues, the Health Care sector has led U.S. large-cap sectors, as reflected by the Russell 1000® Index, year-to-date as of February 11th.

The Russell 1000® Index of large-cap U.S. stocks has returned +6.85% year-to-date as of February 11th. Within the Index, the Health Care sector has led with a +8.55% return year-to-date, followed by the Energy (+8.51%) and Producer Durables and Financial Services (+7.90%) sectors for the same period.

And the Russell 1000® Index Health Care, Consumer Staples and Consumer Discretionary sectors have all reached all-time historical price level highs since the beginning of the year.*

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Index / Sector                                     2013 Year-to-Date as of
                                                           2/11/13
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Russell 1000 Index                                          6.85%
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Russell 1000 Index Health Care Sector                       8.55%
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Russell 1000 Index Energy Sector                            8.51%
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Russell 1000 Index Producer Durables Sector                 7.90%
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Russell 1000 Index Financial Services Sector                7.90%
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Russell 1000 Index Consumer Staples Sector                  7.83%
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Russell 1000 Index Consumer Discretionary Sector            6.80%
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Russell 1000 Index Utilities Sector                         5.54%
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Russell 1000 Index Materials & Processing Sector            4.74%
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Russell 1000 Index Technology Sector                        3.26%
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Source: Russell Investments
Please note: Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested in directly. Returns represent past performance, are not a guarantee of future performance, and are not indicative of any specific investment. Russell's publication of the Indexes or Index constituents in no way suggests or implies a representation or opinion by Russell as to the attractiveness of investing in a particular security. Inclusion of a security in an Index is not a promotion, sponsorship or endorsement of a security by Russell and Russell makes no representation, warranty or guarantee with respect to the performance of any security included in a Russell Index.

*The Russell 1000® Index Health Care sector reached an all-time price high of 1455.07 on February 1st, the Consumer Staples sector reached an all-time price high of 2124.07 on February 5th and the Consumer Discretionary sector reached an all-time high of 1593.27 on January 25th.

Returns provided are US dollar-denominated.

Nothing contained in this material is intended to constitute legal, tax, securities or investment advice, nor an opinion regarding the appropriateness of any investment, nor a solicitation of any type. The general information contained in this publication should not be acted upon without obtaining specific legal, tax and investment advice from a licensed professional.

Russell Investment Group is a Washington, USA corporation, which operates through subsidiaries worldwide, including Russell Investments, and is a subsidiary of The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company.