As we race toward the end of the year, the picture for 2006 looks a bit muddled. While companies are enjoying a relatively profitable stint right now, most of the senior financial executives polled for Treasury & Risk Management's Biannual Economic Confidence Survey seemed less than confident about the next 12 months. But perhaps that is not so shocking, given near record energy prices, a tumultuous hurricane season, a troubled retirement system, an onerous federal deficit and a dispiriting war in Iraq. What might be surprising, in fact, is that the picture doesn't look worse. While we will have to contend with many challenges in the coming year, the U.S. economy appears resilient in the face of one crisis after another. And for that, we can be thankful. On behalf of Treasury & Risk Management, let me wish you a happy and prosperous New Year.