Exactly 12 months ago, West Texas Intermediate crude oil was trading at just under $63 a barrel.

Fifth Third Bancorp (FITB) is eying larger rival National City Corp. (NCC), the ninth-largest U.S. bank with approximately $150 billion in assets, as a potential acquisition target, according to several media reports.

For years, certain advisors have touted the “buy-and-hold” strategy as the pathway to optimal investment returns. While it’s true that short-term gyrations can lead to temporary investment setbacks, any resulting losses can be overcome, since stocks always rise over the long haul.