The U.S. remains the least-dirty shirt in the bag. In fact, its looking comparatively better all the time. In the stock market, I believe fundamental and seasonal factors could push the S&P 500 to new highs before the end of the year, despite the drama in Greece. The market has discounted some pretty nasty events that I dont believe will come to fruition. When more certainty comes, especially regarding events in Europe, investors will likely look back and wish they had paid more attention to fundamentals rather than emotions. On a historical basis, stocks are attractively valued.

The jobs data this morning is very encouraging. Total jobs increased by about 202,000 after a gain of 103,000 in September and upward revisions of 99,000 jobs for August and July. Additionally, average hours worked rose by 0.1% of an hour and hourly wages grew by 0.2%. The increase in total hourly earnings alone will add significantly to private-sector income growth, which increases disposable income. Add to this the gain in payrolls and it is clear that the economy was gaining momentum as we closed the 3rd quarter. Making recession unlikely in the 4th quarter.

The markets overreaction has created an incredible opportunity in U.S. equities. In particular, I see value in high-dividend stocks. Many companies with strong cash flows and stellar credit ratings pay more in dividends than the yield on their bondsa situation that hasnt existed for such a large number of stocks since the 1950s. Without doubt, Europes problems indicate that further turbulence, even a retest of recent lows on the S&P 500, cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, for investors with 2- to 5-year horizons, price dips represent buying opportunities.

The latest bailout program should be successful in one regard: buying more time. Unfortunately for Europe, time is no longer an ally, and it most certainly is not healing all wounds. Across the European periphery, economic data are degenerating as the calendar marches forward. Year to date, Greeces debt burden, budget deficit, cost of funding, and unemployment rate have increased. Its economic output and tax revenues continue to depress.

Ive noticed a critical mass of groupthink growing around the expiration of the Feds asset purchase program dubbed QE2. After tripling its balance sheet in 2.5 years, the conventional wisdom is that the era of quantitative easing should now give way to the era of inflation. As a result, the foregone conclusion is that U.S. interest rates will rise and bonds will underperform significantly. While I acknowledge the potential for rising rates, I dont think the expiration of QE2 is the catalyst that most believe it to be. In fact, I believe U.S. rates should remain at historically low levels.