Quikrete Industy Dashboard: November jobs

The latest version of the Quikrete Industry Dashboard shows updates for all of the Consumer watch dials.

Most recently, the monthly jobs report for November was released Friday morning, and it shows a decline in the national unemployment rate to 4.2%, compared to 4.6% in October.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in November, payroll employment grew by 210,000. Notable job gains occurred in construction, as well as in manufacturing, professional and business services, transportation and warehousing. Meanwhile, employment in retail trade declined over the month.

Construction employment rose by 31,000 in November, following gains of a similar magnitude in the prior 2 months. Specialty trade contractors picked up 13,000 jobs; construction of buildings up 10,000 and heavy and civil engineering construction gained 8,000.

Still, construction employment is 115,000 below its February 2020 level.

Elsewhere on the Industry Dashboard, Consumer Confidence, as reported by the New York-based Conference Board, dipped in November to a reading of 109.5 (1985=100). That’s below the October reading of 111.6, but ahead of the prior year index of 92.9.

On the Stock Roundup, Builders FirstSource is leading the field of industry stocks – up 26% for the month and up 108% for the year.

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Coming next on the Quikrete Industry Dashboard: The U.S. Census will release its Monthly Retail Sales report Dec. 15.