November was another good month for US Manufacturing, and US economy as a whole. Recent data shows the US economy shrugged off the effects of the Government shut down in October and added over 200,000 jobs in November. The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) manufacturing index for November showed that the manufacturing sector expanded in November for the sixth consecutive month. The ISM has reported that the overall economy has grown every month for the last 4 ½ years. Manufacturers added 27,000 positions in November, which is the most since March 2012. Construction firms added 17,000 new jobs in November, too. The two industries have accounted for a combined 113,000 jobs in the past four months. Job growth has a dominant influence over much of the economy, and if hiring continues at its current pace we should continue to see positive results across the entire economy. You would expect greater hiring could support healthier spending. For instance, car sales for November were at their best pace in seven years, and new-home sales in October bounced back from a summer downturn. 2013 has been a good year, and things are looking good for the start of 2014 (even with the uncertainties of healthcare reform).