After a period of relative calm, the Italian elections and fight over the sequester underscore some of the structural problems facing the global economy; investors should be prepared for volatility, says Morningstar's Jeremy Glaser.
There are good opportunities in Europe if you believe that the region's political leaders will be able to hold the euro together, says Seven Investment Management's Justin Urquhart Stewart.
The U.S. is particularly well situated compared with almost any other economy in the world right now, says Morningstar's director of economic analysis. These four factors should push 2012 GDP growth ahead of 2011's rate.
Keep these potential opportunities, data points, and issues on your radar during earnings season, says Pat Dorsey of Sanibel Captiva Investment Advisers.
Italy is feeling the pinch. Not only is its economy still struggling amid the European debt crisis, but factors from politics to competition from China, within its very shores, are complicating its problems.