While the last trading day of December and the year ended on a down note, with a 120-point loss for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, the year was anything but a gloomy one.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed December with a loss of 0.4%. For the year, it was up 18.8%. The Nasdaq gained 4.3% in December and 43.9% for the year. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% for the month, and 23.5% for the year.

December was marked by some stabilization in both the U.S. dollar and gold prices. The dollar had been on a weakening trend for much of the year, but finally saw some revitalization this month. Gold prices soared to record highs in recent weeks, but took a step back in December as the dollar regained vigor. Heading into next year, the primary questions investors are asking will be: will the Federal Reserve hike rates? And if so, when and by how much? The answer could have a wide range of implications, particularly in the fixed-income space.

The top sectors in December were airlines, up 16.8%; natural gas, up 11.5%; semiconductors, up about 8%. The weakest performers this month were gold miners, down 14%; silver, down 11.9%; and Austria, down 10.4%.

To view our full December performance report, click here.

Tags: Airlines, Austria, Energy, ETF Performance Reports, Europe, Gold, Gold Miners, Natural Gas, Precious Metals, Semiconductors, Silver, Technology, Transportation, U.S. Dollar