Overview:  The economy added 39,000 jobs as the unemployment rate rose to 9.8% in November.  Productivity increased at a rate of 2.3% in the 3^rd quarter.  The ISM index fell 0.3 point to 56.6 in November; the ISM services index rose 0.7 point to 55.0.  Auto sales were essentially unchanged at an annual rate of 12.26 million units in November.  The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index fell 0.7% in September.  Pending home sales rose 10.4% in October.  Initial jobless claims rose by 26,000 to a level of 436,000 for the week ended 11/27.

The economy gained 39,000 jobs in November as the unemployment rate rose to 9.8%.The private sector added 50,000 jobs while government employment fell by 11,000. This marks a record 19^th straight month that the unemployment rate has been greater than 9.0% 

Productivity for the 3^rd quarter was revised upwards to a rate of 2.3%, from an earlier estimate of 1.9%.

The ISM index edged down 0.3 point to 56.6 in November.

The ISM services index rose 0.7 point to 55.0 in November.

Auto sales were essentially unchanged at an annual pace of 12.26 million units in November. Sales were up 13.2% from November 2009.

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index fell 0.7% in September. On a year-over-year basis, the index was up 0.6%.

Pending home sales surprised on the upside with a 10.4% increase in October.

Factory orders fell 0.9% in October.

Initial jobless claims rose by 26,000 to 436,000 for the week ended November 27^th.