Retailers have come through with very solid reports. We felt that the drop in gas prices would help. More importantly, we saw the weather shift, which really helped in the last week of the month. |
That is indicative of pre- and post- hurricane buying in places like Florida, where people tend to stock up before a hurricane and then afterward they try to do some replacement shopping. |
The market is in a rotational phase toward the more stable growth companies -- and that would include the big pharmaceuticals. |
They've kept a very tight control over quality. These people are extremely disciplined. |
We're doing OK. Are we going gangbusters? No. As we get into the week after Christmas, you're going to have another push upward of sales. |
With energy prices improving, it may be that we're seeing a bit of turn in sentiment to the positive side. I don't think it's a rising tide lifting all ships. It's going to be company by company. |