UNEMPLOYMENT

The U.S. unemployment rate tumbled to a 2-1/2 year low in November, even though the pace of hiring remained too slow to suggest a significant acceleration in the labor market recovery.

Stocks ended flat on Friday but capped the best week for Wall Street bulls in almost three years after data showed the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low.

The Canadian dollar ended weaker against the U.S. currency on Friday, following the euro lower, as worries about Europe's debt crisis and disappointing domestic employment data ended a four-day winning streak.

Bank stocks finished up one of the best-performing weeks of the year Friday, as a global coordinated stimulus by the world's top central bankers announced Wednesday injected some badly needed liquidity into the credit markets and signaled a willingness for future intervention if the going gets tougher.

Toronto's main stock index was higher on Friday morning, on track to post its biggest weekly gain in more than two years, pushed up by strong bank earnings, encouraging U.S. jobs data and talk of more action to ease Europe's debt.

Investors pushed stocks higher on Friday, heading for the best week since early 2009, on news the U.S. unemployment rate fell to a 2-1/2 year low.

I was cautiously optimistic to see the unemployment figures dropping to 8.6 percent, concerned that only 7 percent of those who lost and regained jobs during the financial mess are maintaining their previous financial position and despair at the impact decaying infrastructure, like the New York City L Train, has on small businesses and our chances of economic recovery.

The unemployment rate tumbled to a 2-1/2 year low in November, even though the pace of hiring remained too slow to suggest a significant acceleration in the labor market recovery.

Congress' ongoing battle over a proposed extension of the payroll-tax cut hit its first legislative wall on Thursday night, as two measures to keep the rate at least at 4.2 percent failed to overcome a filibuster in the Senate.

Canada's economy unexpectedly lost jobs for a second straight month in November, raising concern that weakness in other countries may do lasting harm to an economy that has so far been surprisingly robust.

Stocks rose on Friday, on course for their best week in almost three years, after the U.S. unemployment rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low, but resistance close to a key technical level limited gains as traders booked profits before the weekend.

U.S. unemployment rates continue to drop this fall, with a sharp increase in job creation at the start of November. As federal and private employers contribute to a steadily recovering economy, many are asking: Will unemployment rates continue to drop? And if so, what does that mean for Obama's re-election, and his GOP contenders?

Forbes released a list of the top ten worst cities for finding a job in America this week. Based off aggregated data from Indeed.com, Forbes found that Miami, Los Angeles, Riverside, Calif. and Las Vegas topped the list as the worst metro areas for job seekers.

Thanks to a positive unemployment report released Friday, which said America's unemployment rate fell to 8.6 percent, or its lowest level since March 2009, U.S. President Barack Obama's chances of getting re-elected have increased.

When combined with upward revisions to the September (210,000) and October (100,000) job totals, November’s 120,000 job gain, and recent, strong manufacturing and auto sales data, the fundamentals show a U.S. economy that is strengthening. But will Europe's credit markets sap the economy's momentum?

Unemployment is down, but so is the financial position of job-finders. The New York City L train is shut too many weekends for piecemeal repairs, while desperately needed infrastructure needs go unmet. It's hurting small Williamsburg shops--and speaks to the proper role of government.

Unemployment is down, but so is the financial position of job-finders. The New York City L train is shut too many weekends for piecemeal repairs, while desperately needed infrastructure needs go unmet. It's hurting small Williamsburg shops--and speaks to the proper role of government.

Employment growth picked up speed in November and the jobless rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low of 8.6 percent, further evidence the economic recovery was gaining momentum.

The euro rose for a fifth straight session against the dollar on Friday, bolstered by speculation that the European Central Bank may lend to weak euro zone countries through the International Monetary Fund.

U.S. added more jobs in November and jobless rate fell unexpectedly to the lowest point since March 2009. Revised data show that hiring in early fall grew faster than initially reported. All signs indicate a moderate recovery in the labor market.

Employment growth picked up speed in November and the jobless rate dropped to a 2-1/2 year low of 8.6 percent, further evidence the economic recovery was gaining momentum.