Overview: The economy added 103,000 jobs in September as the unemployment rate held steady at 9.1%.  Consumer credit declined $9.5 billion to $2.445 trillion in August.  The ISM index rose 1.0 point to 51.6 in September as the ISM services index edged down 0.3 points to 53.0.  Construction spending was up 1.4% in August.  Auto sales rose 8.0% to an annual rate of 13.1 million units in September.  Initial jobless claims rose 6,000 to a level of 401,000 for the week ended 10/1.

• The economy added 103,000 nonfarm payroll jobs in September as the unemployment rate held steady at 9.1%.  The labor force rose by 423,000.  The number and percentage of long-term unemployed increased to 6.2 million and 44.6%, respectively.
• Consumer credit surprised on the down side with a decline of $9.5 billion to a level of $$2.445 trillion in August.  This marks the first month of decline since September of 2010.  Both revolving and non-revolving credit declined.
• The ISM index rose 1.0 point in September to 51.6.
• The ISM services index edged down 0.3 points to 53.0 in September.
• Construction spending increased 1.4% in August.
• Auto sales increased 8.0% to an annual rate of 13.1 million units in September.  On a year-over-year basis, sales were up 10.8%.
• Initial jobless claims rose 6,000 to 401,000 for the week ended October 1^st.