According to Mastercard holiday US retail sales were up +3.8% over the Nov 1-Dec 24 period, that\'s well above Mastercard\'s own forecast made back in September for a +3.2% rise, and above last year\'s +3.1% gain.

<div class=\"default-font-wrapper\" style=\"line-height: 1;font-size: 12pt; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif;\">According to Mastercard holiday US retail sales were up +3.8% over the Nov 1-Dec 24 period, that\'s well above Mastercard\'s own forecast made back in September for a +3.2% rise, and above last year\'s +3.1% gain.</div>