Energy stocks were the frontrunners in earnings per-share, with ConocoPhillips (COP ) and Halliburton Company (HAL %) leading the way. Barclays predicts that the lift will be around 8.1% this year, but it will fall to 6.3% once factors are taken into account, such as one-time repatriation costs and deferred tax liabilities and assets. The upcoming year is likely to have several adverse effects: mid-term elections, potential Democratic gains in Congress, an aggressive hike from the Fed (with potentially damaging outcome), and