I am especially happy to see that more of you are having breakfast at McDonald's (MCD) again. Recently, the company announced that sales at restaurants open at least 13 months rose a whopping 8.2% in November, which was a shocker to many people -- but not me. The gains came on a huge increase in breakfast business, premium roast coffee and chicken snack wraps, not to mention $1 double cheeseburgers. Same-store sales were up even more in Europe -- almost 11% -- aided by a new chicken sandwich in the United Kingdom. Sales in Asia were up 12%, lifted by breakfast sales in China.

All told, McDonald's continues to run on all cylinders. If you haven't been in one lately, go check out a couple in your neighborhood. You may be shocked to see that they are beginning to look much more like a Starbucks (SBUX) than the old tile-floor-and-fluorescent-lights grease pits that you may recall from a decade ago. Many have lots of wood, sconce lighting, flat-panel TVs, much-improved seating and, of course, better coffee. It's just the kind of company that tends to perform well in a weaker economy.