Energy stocks led the way, with ConocoPhillips (NYSE: COP ) up 3% and Halliburton Company (NYSE: HAL ) up 3.4%. Barclays estimates the lift to companies' 2018 earnings-per-share to be about 8.1% - reduced to around 6.3% after accounting for items like one-time repatriation costs and deferred tax liabilities and assets. Next year features many headwinds: Mid-term elections and the specter of Democratic gains in Congress, a more aggressive rate hike path from the Fed (with a new chairman at the helm), further turmoil in China and the appearance of inflation here at home.