You know by now that the Fed last week opted not to begin tapering its quantitative easing (i.e., buying of Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities), primarily for two reasons, I believe. First, rapidly rising long-term interest rates were already starting to hurt the recovering housing market (and the resulting wealth effect).

Sabrient's Earnings Busters Q Series, first launched in April of this year, has had outstanding success.  The Q2 2013 portfolio – the first in the Earnings Busters Q Series -- gained +12.25% in the second quarter.

As of September 19, the Q3 2013 portfolio is up +5.68%. Fourteen of the 20 stocks—70%—are positive, with the top 5 performers boasting double-digit gains.  You can sign up for Q4 here.

The Q Series is predicated on the same that produced the award-winning Baker's Dozen portfolio for the past five years. The shorter-term Earnings Busters Q Series is living up to its name and its lineage.

Monday was yet another up-day for the S&P 500 Index as it reached 1704.95, narrowly missing its all-time high of 1709.67 set in August, but the index closed at 1697.60, up +0.57%. The Dow was also up, +0.77%, but the Nasdaq fell -0.12%

The day’s strength was chiefly attributed to a combination of Larry Summers stepping aside as the likely nominee for the new Fed chief and the signing of the agreement between Russia and the US on a method to require Syria to turn over its chemical weapons to the international control. Summers had been under fierce opposition even from Democrats, after being favored by President Obama.

We’re off to a good start to a new week after last week’s good finish. The domestic markets are up more than 1% midday, based on a possibility of compromise in Syria. Rumors have it that Russia has suggested that Syria place its chemical weapons under international control to avoid missile strikes. Further rumor is that Syria welcomed the proposal.

Too good to be true? Perhaps but does seem like a practical way out of the mess for everyone. At least a possible beginning.