Economic downturns like recessions are regular phenomena in any economy around the world. In U.S. from 2009 to 2012, stock prices as measured by the S&P 500 Index (a market benchmark):

A.

lost more than half their value

B.

declined due to new regulations

C.

remained unchanged as Fed was controlling market

D.

more than doubled in value

E.

was similar to international stock market