"Thanksgiving's Entertainment Extravaganza: Box Office and TV Hits"
Box Office Records on Thanksgiving
Just like in previous Thanksgivings, movie theaters witnessed a surge in attendance, setting a new box office record. On this special day, box office sales soared past $57 million, doubling last year's total of $22.7 million and tripling the 2022 figure of $17.7 million. It even surpassed the 2018 record of $41.9 million. Disney's Moana 2, released the day before, achieved a remarkable $28 million in ticket sales, surpassing Frozen II's previous record of $14.96 million in 2016. Universal's Wicked, in its second week, also outperformed Frozen II, generating $17.0 million. Paramount's Gladiator II, in its second week, recorded $6.7 million. These three movies from different studios gave moviegoers a compelling reason to leave their homes. Moreover, all three films received strong Rotten Tomatoes audience scores.
Over the five-day Thanksgiving weekend, even more box office records were set. A total of $412.8 million in tickets were sold, surpassing the previous high of $315.6 million in 2018. Comscore's senior media analyst, Paul Dergarabedian, pointed out that the planets aligned perfectly for movie theaters during this holiday, with the right films programmed to deliver massive box office revenue. AMC Theaters' CEO, Adam Aron, announced that over the Thanksgiving holiday (Wednesday through Sunday), more than 8.8 million people watched a movie at an AMC theater globally, setting a new high in its 104-year history. Moana 2 led the way, grossing $221 million in sales, surpassing the previous high of $204.6 million set by the Super Mario Bros. Movie in 2023. It also became the top grossing Disney animated film during Thanksgiving weekend, surpassing Frozen II's 2019 gross of $125 million. Disney now holds seven of the top ten Thanksgiving weekend debuts.
The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and Peacock attracted a record high average audience of 31.3 million, an increase from last year's 28.5 million viewers. The live airing on NBC started at 8:30 a.m. (ET) and ended at 12 noon, averaging 23.6 million viewers, making it the most watched entertainment show since the 2020 Oscars. Peacock's viewing during the parade grew by +26% from 2023. NBC is renegotiating the broadcast rights, which could reach $60 million, a threefold increase from the current agreement. This year, NBC charged advertisers $900,000 for a :30 ad. After the parade, the National Dog Show aired and averaged 12.2 million viewers, the most since 2020.
NFL Thanksgiving Games
After the parade, CBS aired the first of three live NFL games at 12:30 p.m. Although CBS and Nielsen have not renewed their contract, Nielsen still measures the audience. No viewing data for this game is currently available. At 4:30 p.m. (ET), Fox televised the late afternoon Thanksgiving Day game featuring the NFC division rivals New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys. Despite both teams having losing records, the game averaged 38.5 million viewers on Fox, with a peak of 41.3 million viewers in the quarter-hour starting at 6 p.m. (ET). Fox Sports claims it was the most watched regular season game of the 2024 NFL season and the fourth most watched Thanksgiving Day game. However, it was the lowest rated Cowboys game on Thanksgiving since 2020, with a year-over-year viewership decrease of -8%. At prime time on NBC and Peacock, the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins game averaged 26.6 million viewers, slightly below the previous game but an increase from 2022. According to Nielsen, last year, all three Thanksgiving telecasts and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade ranked among the 50 most watched telecasts.
For one day, streaming took a back seat as people flocked to theaters and watched live television. It was a throwback to a bygone era of shared entertainment experiences.
"Join the Car Show and Spread Holiday Cheer with Toys for Tots"
Co-Sponsorship and Donation Drive
This event was made possible through the co-sponsorship of Simple Coffee of Mendham and Midnight Run. As it was a Toys for Tots benefit, attendees were encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to contribute to the cause. It was a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and make a difference in the lives of children during the holiday season. Many families and individuals showed up with generous donations, filling the event with a sense of warmth and generosity.The act of bringing a toy not only helped the children in need but also created a sense of unity among the attendees. It was a reminder of the importance of giving back and supporting those less fortunate during the festive time of the year.
The co-sponsors played a crucial role in making this event a success. Their support added to the overall atmosphere and made it a memorable experience for everyone involved. Simple Coffee and Midnight Run demonstrated their commitment to the community by partnering with Ristorante MV in this worthy cause.
The Classic Cars on Display
The car show was a visual treat, with a wide array of classic cars on display. From sleek sports cars to vintage sedans, each vehicle had a unique story to tell. The attention to detail and the love for these classic machines was evident in every corner of the event.The owners of these cars took great pride in showcasing their treasures. They shared stories about the history and restoration of their vehicles, adding an extra layer of interest to the display. It was a chance for car enthusiasts to admire the craftsmanship and design of these timeless beauties.
The classic cars not only attracted the attention of the attendees but also became a centerpiece of the event. They added a touch of nostalgia and elegance to the atmosphere, making it a truly unforgettable experience for all who attended.
The Impact on the Community
The Cars, Coffee, and Toys car show had a significant impact on the community. Beyond the joy of seeing the classic cars and participating in the toy drive, it brought people together and fostered a sense of community spirit.It showed that even in a busy world, there are opportunities to come together and make a positive difference. The event served as a reminder that we all have a role to play in helping those in need and creating a better community.
The support for Toys for Tots through this car show will have a lasting impact on the lives of children in the local area. It is an example of how small acts of kindness can have a big impact and make a real difference in the world.
Unraveling Today's Market Trends After a Stellar November on Wall Street
Trading Activity After a Strong November
Trading activity today has taken a sluggish turn after the remarkable performance of Wall Street in November. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and S&P 500 Index (SPX) futures, which had closed at fresh record highs in November, are now struggling to find a clear direction. This lack of direction is evident as they are near breakeven at the moment. It shows the uncertainty that prevails in the market despite the previous month's success.
Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) futures, on the other hand, are inching higher. Traders are looking ahead to the economic data releases scheduled for today and this week. This data is expected to provide more insights into the market's direction and help traders make more informed decisions.
Cboe Options Exchange Activity
The Cboe Options Exchange (CBOE) witnessed a significant trading volume on Friday. Over 1.3 million call contracts and more than 779,464 put contracts were exchanged. This indicates the level of activity and interest in the options market. The single-session equity put/call ratio rose to 0.56, while the 21-day moving average remained at 0.62. These ratios provide valuable insights into the market sentiment and the balance between bullish and bearish positions.
The trading activity at the CBOE reflects the overall market dynamics and the expectations of traders. It shows the ebb and flow of market sentiment and the various strategies being employed by traders.
Stock Performance of Gap Inc
Gap Inc (NYSE:GAP) stock is showing an upward trend in premarket trading. The stock has received an upgrade from J.P. Morgan Securities from "neutral" to "overweight" and a price target hike from $28 to $30. The analyst cited multiple catalysts for this upgrade and noted that the retailer could see more than 20% upside. This positive news has boosted the confidence of investors and led to an increase in the stock price.
GAP's performance this year has also been impressive, with a 16% increase. This shows the potential of the company and its ability to generate value for shareholders. The upgrade and price target hike are likely to attract more attention and interest from investors.
Electric Vehicle Stock Tesla Inc
Electric vehicle (EV) stock Tesla Inc (NASDAQ:TSLA) is also performing well in electronic trading. Its vice president of AI software shared on social media that version 13 of the company's "Full Self-Driving" software is being rolled out to some customers. This news has given a boost to the stock price, with a 2.1% increase in premarket trading.
Roth MKM also upgraded the stock from "neutral" to "buy". This shows the positive sentiment towards Tesla and its growth prospects. TSLA has had a strong year in 2024, with a 38.9% increase. The company's leadership in the EV market and its continuous innovation have been key factors driving its stock performance.
Toymaker Hasbro Inc's Performance
Shares of toymaker Hasbro Inc (NASDAQ:HAS) are up 1.5% before the bell. Traders are closely monitoring the Black Friday sales results as they expect this to have an impact on the company's performance. Stifel noted that the company's board games seemed to be popular among consumers. HAS has already shown a 40.4% year-over-year lead, indicating its strong market position.
The performance of Hasbro Inc reflects the trends in the toy market and the consumer demand for toys. The company's ability to meet consumer expectations and offer popular products is likely to contribute to its continued success.
Asian and European Market Responses to Economic Data
Asian markets closed mostly in the green, with a heavy schedule of economic data for the week. China's manufacturing purchasing managers index (PMI) for November reached its highest level since April, at 50.3. New home prices also showed a 2.4% year-over-year increase. In South Korea, preliminary trade data came in at its slowest pace since September 2023, while exports saw a 1.4% year-over-year growth. In response, China's Shanghai Composite rose 1.1%, Japan's Nikkei added 0.8%, Hong Kong's Hang Seng gained 0.7%, and South Korea's Kospi ended flat.
Across the Atlantic, indexes are moving higher. France's CAC 40 is up 0.4% as the region awaits budget updates. Euro zone and U.K. manufacturing sector activity data showed a decline in October, while the European Union (EU) maintained a steady pace of 6.3%. At the latest glance, London's FTSE 100 is up 0.4% and Germany's DAX is 1.3% higher.
The responses of Asian and European markets to the economic data highlight the global nature of the market and the interconnectedness of different economies. The data releases will provide important insights into the economic health and future prospects of these regions.