Summary: A couple of companies that have struggled in a rising tide over 2014 will report fourth quarter earnings after a big Thursday for markets: McDonald's (MCD) and General Electric (GE). Each has been a market mainstay and a portfolio favorite of many investors -- but both are laggards over the last 12 months. McDonald's had to 'send in the clown,' in the form of marketing favorite Ronald, and G-E has been chopping off undesirable assets as it rebalances its portfolio. Plus, Jim Cramer says Dollar General is a winner, despite Family Dollar investors swaying the sale vote to its competitor.
