Job Market gaining strength going into 2012.

Job growth in December might signal a modestly improving trend since the middle of 2011. And there are signs that it might show even a little more improvement early in 2012. To be sure, manufacturing gains remain lackluster and gains in construction still await some awakening in the housing market. But there has been enough retail activity to allow the service-sector to show moderate and sustained job gains. While these gains may not be enough to quickly lower the unemployment rate and propel economic growth consistently above a 2%+ growth path, they are likely to be enough to further lift consumer confidence in this post-holiday period.

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