strong earnings, confidence on the global economy and strong U.S. retail numbers over the (Thanksgiving) holiday period.

If you grew up in Macon, Georgia, the fair was almost like Thanksgiving or Christmas. It was another holiday. The food, the rides. It's just a good time.

Thanksgiving is a typically American holiday... The lavish meal is a symbol of the fact that abundant consumption is the result and reward of production.

Since Thanksgiving and throughout the normally slow holiday period, we experienced unexpectedly strong trading activity and that strength has not yet ebbed,

Thanksgiving weekend spending figures suggest that predictions of another strong online holiday season are on track.

We knew it would be a rough battle. Once the holiday tournaments came around, we gained a lot of confidence.