After more than a month of range-bound volatility, the U.S. markets have broken out to start the week. In the process, the Standard & Poor's 500 Index cleared the headline 1,100 mark, confirming its uptrend as detailed below.

One reason John Buckingham is excited about stocks right now is that most investors aren’t. Moreover, the mutual-fund manager sees many of those opportunities in the large-cap arena.

Here's a sector that significantly outperformed the broader market year to date.

Paper-packaging companies International Paper Co. and MeadWestvaco Corp. reported higher third-quarter profits on Wednesday, as steep cost cutting through capacity reductions, plant closings and layoffs more than offset a decline in revenue.

U.S. stock futures fall on Wednesday as markets gear up for another busy day of earnings, along with a full schedule of economic data, including durable goods orders and new home sales.

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by AnalystChoice.com (AC).

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by WallStSense.com

NOTE TO EDITORS: The Following Is an Investment Opinion Being Issued by Benchmark Journal.