Fund inflows rise as investors decide how to get back into the market

After enduring the stock market's nearly 65 percent sell-off that began last September and then watching anxiously during its 30 percent recovery from its March low-point, many investors who have been waiting until things stabilize now face a critical decision: when to get back into the market and become fully invested again.

Consulting firm Strategic Insight reported this week that many investors have already begun pouring money back into the equity markets during the first part of this year. In the second quarter, U.S. investors funneled $136 billion into stock and bond mutual funds, the best quarter for long-term funds since the first quarter of 2007, when more than $150 billion was channeled into mutual funds.