Umemployment Rate Falls to 8.3%. Other Economic Data Rocking As Well
Feb. 3, 2012
(CNNMoney) -- American employers substantially stepped up their hiring in January, bringing the unemployment rate down for the fifth month in a row.
Employers added 243,000 jobs in January, the Labor Department reported Friday, marking a pick-up in hiring from December, when the economy added 203,000 jobs.
Meanwhile, the unemployment rate fell to 8.3%. That is the lowest since February 2009.
Job growth was much stronger than expected. Economists surveyed by CNNMoney had forecast 130,000 jobs added in the month, and that the unemployment rate likely ticked up to 8.6%.
read: http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/03/news/economy/jobs_report_unemployment/
Manufacturing growth fastest since June; construction spending up for 5th straight month
U.S. factories grew in January at the fastest pace in seven months, boosted by a rise in new orders. And builders ended a poor year for construction by spending more on homes and projects for the fifth straight month.
The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing managers, said Wednesday that its manufacturing index rose last month to 54.1 from 53.1 in December. Readings above 50 indicate expansion.
Consumers are buying more cars and trucks, while businesses ordered more machinery and other equipment. That has driven manufacturing, which expanded for the 30th straight month.
Both new orders and order backlogs rose to nine-month highs. Increasing order backlogs suggest manufacturers are lacking the capacity to meet demand. That could mean more growth in production and employment in the near future, economists said.
Export orders also rose, a sign that U.S. manufacturers haven’t yet been affected by Europe’s slowing economy . . .
read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/manufacturing-grows-at-fastest-pace-in-7-months-as-new-orders-rise-employment-dips/2012/02/01/gIQA32BfhQ_print.html
Job market conditions improved in the United States in January as Gallup's U.S. Job Creation Index reached +16, its highest point since September 2008.
U.S. Job Creation Index, Monthly Averages, 2008-2012
read more: http://www.gallup.com/poll/152417/Job-Creation-Best-September-2008.aspx
= new reply since forum marked as read
Great to hear your husband got work. I'm hoping this means more hours for me, as well. 
Nope. Can't find anything. 
a near, total economic collapse, we are experiencing positive economic news. To my mind, this makes PBO one of the all time best presidents and it's sad that the lefties can't see it and don't appreciate what a gift we have been given.
ETA, 
