The S&P 500 is on track to post year-over-year earnings growth of about 2% in the first quarter–a solid result considering the significant drags from the oil downturn and strong U.S. dollar.

We believe emerging markets (EM) score well when evaluated along some of the same criteria that NFL football teams use to assess potential draft picks:speed, strength, value, upside potential, and character.

Investors continued to embrace risk this past week as the Nasdaq reached a new high while peripheral European bonds and emerging market equities rallied.

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Russell 2000 Index hit a fresh all-time high last week (on tax day, April 15, 2015) and has outpaced large caps by 205 basis points (2.05%) year to date. Although valuations are on the high side, the factors that have driven recent small cap strength, in our view, remain largely intact. Small…

10 Stock Market Questions for 2015 With 2015 almost here, this week we pose and respond to 10 key stock market questions for 2015. Look for more on these and other topics throughout the year. We bring 2014 to a close with this Weekly Market Commentary. Look for our next edition on January 5, 2015.…

Highlights We expect holiday shoppers, bolstered by lower energy prices, to help support potential stock market gains. Although the severity of the oil price decline has been unsettling, we view the decline as positive for U.S. consumers overall. Retail stocks should deliver some cheer for markets this holiday season, but don’t stuff those stockings with…