MarketWatch Stock Talk

Wall Street's yearend gains are more than just seasonal says Brent Schutte, senior investment strategist & portfolio manager at BMO Global Asset Management. He says recent economic data offer "a pretty good backdrop" for equity markets.

The stock market is looking good going into 2015, says Brian Peery, co-portfolio manager at Hennessy Funds. He says 2014 exceeded his expectations. Peery sees gains of 8 to 12 per cent for stocks in 2015 with continued volatility.

Stocks are modestly higher as trading slows ahead of Christmas. Chief investment strategist Andy Zimmerman at DT Investment Partners says stocks remain in an "unloved bull market" with investors jumping "from selling panics to buying panics."

Volatility this month has been "breathtaking," says portfolio manager Riad Younes at R Squared Capital Management. He cites a "perfect storm" of uncertainties surrounding the Fed and overseas markets, along with plunging oil prices.

Liz Miller of Summit Place Financial Advisors says Wall Street's been overly emotional these past couple of weeks, and that includes the response to the Federal Reserve this week.

Hayes Miller, head of multi-asset for North America at Baring Asset Management, says 2014 is ending about as-expected for the stock market. He sees mid-to-high single-digit percentage gains for 2015.

It has been a choppy day for stocks, as the market tries to halt its recent slide. Senior vice president David James at James Investment Research sees more choppiness ahead. "We have not seen as much volatility as would be normal," he says.

Stocks began the day with a solid advance, but the gains didn't stick. Fatima Iqbal, senior investment strategist at the Azzad Ethical Fund says weakness among some of the United States' largest trading partners continues to weigh on stocks.

Crude prices rebound from five and 1/2 year lows; Charlie Turner reports

Who doesn't love watching gas prices fall? Those who are worried about the reasons for the drop. Scott Wren of Wells Fargo Advisors says low oil prices are a symptom of global economic troubles.