Could the equity premium be zero or even negative? In other words, is it possible investors buying and holding stocks for the long run won't get that extra 3% to 5% over government bonds that several studies have found in historical data? Are they better off in fixed-income securities?

The best time to invest in stocks is from November to April, according to the Stock Trader’s Almanac for 2009. In fact, say authors Jeffrey and Yale Hirsch, most of the long-term gains in stocks occur in these six months.