The stock market may be working through one of its most volatile periods in recent history, but Americans are confident in their financial situations, The Wall Street Journal reports. The 2018 holiday season was one of the most profitable for retailers in nearly a decade.

"Total U.S. retail sales, excluding automobiles, rose 5.1% between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24 from a year earlier, according to Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks both online and in-store spending with all forms of payment," WSJ says. "Overall, U.S. consumers spent over $850 billion this holiday season, according to Mastercard."