The main reason is that a bull market boosted most share prices, making option grants valuable.

FORBES: Magazine Article

All bull markets end when new share sales from companies and insiders swamp corporate buybacks.

FORBES: The Federal Reserve's False Sense Of Omnipotence

In the U.S., where Red Bull enjoys a 47% share of the energy drink market, sales are growing annually at a 40% clip.

FORBES: Magazine Article

So far the results have been spectacular: In some countries Red Bull commands an 80% market share.

FORBES: The Soda With Buzz

The bull market and the publicity surrounding new share issues have spurred enthusiasm.

ECONOMIST: Germany��s capitalist piglets

This is because in a Bull market even a chimp throwing poo at the FT to make its share selections will make money.

FORBES: Fives Ways To Make Good Money

First, a bull market, and the shining success of Deutsche Telekom, the former state-owned telecommunications monopoly whose share price has risen 50% since the firm's widely publicised flotation in November, has made German investors increasingly adventuresome.

ECONOMIST: Venture capital