By contrast, the S & P 500 has already reached Jefferies' bull case of 5,400, the strategist noted. The right catalyst For investors, the bull case for small caps that prevailed when the year began, still holds. More immediately, second-quarter earnings may prove a positive catalyst for small caps since expectations are so low, according to Jefferies' DeSanctis. On a trailing 12-month basis, the S & P 500 is trading at a multiple of 25 times earnings. Ultimately, however, many investors say that a rotation into small caps is coming, even if it hasn't happened yet.

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Persons: Russell, Richard Nixon, Steven DeSanctis, Jefferies, DeSanctis, Brian Leonard, Ross Mayfield, Baird, Keeley Teton's Leonard, Something's Organizations: Federal Reserve, Jefferies, CNBC Pro, Fed, Advisors Locations: Keeley