On average, for the period 1926 through 2014:

the real rate of return on U.S. Treasury bills has been negative.

small-company stocks have underperformed large-company stocks.

long-term government bonds have produced higher returns than long-term corporate bonds.

the risk premium on long-term corporate bonds has exceeded the risk premium on long-term government bonds.

the risk premium on large-company stocks has exceeded the risk premium on small- company stocks.