The economy continues to improve. November marked the 69th consecutive month of private-sector job gains, with the economy adding 13.7 million private-sector jobs over that period and extending the longest streak on record. The unemployment rate is at its lowest level since early 2008.

Economic growth continued moderately in the third quarter with the second estimate of real gross domestic product (GDP) indicating that the economy expanded at an annual rate of 2.1 percent. Many economists stress that while GDP growth has been moderate we expect to see strong final demand growth in the fourth quarter.