Of all the year-end indicators out there, the Santa Claus rally is perhaps the most misunderstood, says Jeff Hirsch, editor in chief of the Stock Trader's Almanac. "People use the phrase sort of loosely for any sort of year end rally," he explains in the attached video, when in fact, its parameters and indicators are quite precise.

"The Santa Claus rally, as defined by the Stock Trader's Almanac and Yale Hirsch who created it (in 1972), is the last five trading days of the year plus the first two of the New Year," Hirsch says, acknowledging that this particular indicator is often confused with the January Barometer.

In addition, the Santa Claus rally has a dual mandate, so to speak, as it marks an above average chance that this period will be positive, and it is also an indicator for the year to come.

As Hirsch conveys, since 1950, the S&P 500 has averaged 1.5% gains for that 7-day window. "Not a big gain, but a nice little positive," is how he describes it. "There's this general buying bias by the pros at the end of the year after tax-loss selling."

One of the traits that made Ron Popeil one of the greatest salesmen of all time was his ability to make a product seem better and better. Just when you thought the case for owning a particular gadget couldn't possibly get any better, Popeil would deliver his famous line, "but wait -- there's more," and further compel you to reach for your wallet.

While speaking with Tom Lydon, editor of ETFtrends.com, I had a Ron Popeil moment. Lydon's latest investment strategy seemed to be bordering on too-good-to-be-true. Not only is he making the case for the outsized growth opportunity that is available from Emerging Markets in an otherwise lackluster world, but in the attached video he's also working in a way that let's you get paid while you wait.

Emerging market countries and companies, Lydon points out, are often in much better shape than than their counterparts in the U.S. and Europe. "Oh and by the way, they're making a lot of money and kicking off some pretty good dividends too," he adds.

Ten years ago, iShares MSCI Emerging Markets (EEM) used to be the place "for your speculative money," but Lydon says that has changed. In fact he says 55% of global market cap comes from outside the U.S., not to mention mention most of the world's GDP growth.

"If you can get on average four, five, and in some cases, 6% dividend yield while you're waiting for global markets to get traction; not a bad yield."