Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 155,000 new non-farm payroll jobs added in December. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 155,000 new non-farm payroll jobs were added in December.  The result fell in the middle of the range of 152,000 to 157,000 new jobs, anticipated by economists.  The unemployment rate held firm at 7.8 percent.  The most significant aspect of the report was the revelation that November’s total was revised significantly upward from 146,000 to 161,000 new jobs.   Unemployment and the Market From the report: Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 155,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.  Employment increased in health care, food services and drinking places, construction, and manufacturing. *   *   * The number of unemployed persons, at 12.2 million, was little changed in December.  The unemployment rate held at 7.8 percent and has been at or near that level since September. In December, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was essentially unchanged at 4.8 million and accounted for 39.1 percent of the unemployed. (See table A-12.) The civilian labor force participation rate held at 63.6 percent in December. The employment-population ratio, at 58.6 percent, was essentially unchanged over the month. Also on Friday, the Institute for Supply Management released its Non-Manufacturing Index for December .  Although economists had been expecting a decline to 54.5 from November’s 54.7, the ISM reported an increase to 56.1.  A result above 50 indicates expansion. From the report: The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management™ Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee.  ”The NMI™ registered 56.1 percent in December, 1.4 percentage points higher than the 54.7 percent registered in November.  This indicates continued growth at a slightly faster rate in the non-manufacturing sector. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index registered 60.3 percent, which is 0.9 percentage point lower than the 61.2 percent reported in November, reflecting growth for the 41st consecutive month.  The New Orders Index increased by 1.2 percentage points to 59.3 percent.  The Employment Index increased by 6 percentage points to 56.3 percent, indicating growth in employment for the fifth consecutive month at a significantly faster rate.  The Prices Index decreased 0.4 percentage point to 56.6 percent, indicating prices increased at a slightly slower rate in December when compared to November. According to the NMI™, 13 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in December.  Respondents’ comments remain mixed and are mostly positive about business conditions and the economy.” The major ETFs expected to respond to the December non-farm payrolls report and the Non-Manufacturing Index for December are: Industrial Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLI)  +0.75% Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR Fund (NYSEARCA:XLP)  +0.28% SPDR S&P Retail ETF (NYSEARCA:XRT)  +0.71% Consumer Discretionary Select Sector SPDR ETF (NYSEARCA:XLY)  +0.37% iShares Russell 2000 Index ETF (NYSEARCA:IWM)  +0.55%  Learn More About iShares ETFs For ETF Investors, Index Selection Matters Bottom line:  Both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the ISM brought good news about the state of the economy at the close of 2012, although the big surprise was that the number of jobs added in November had been underestimated by 15,000 in last month’s BLS report. Sign up for Wall Street Sector Selector’s FREE Stock Market Timing Indicator!    Disclaimer: The content included herein is for educational and informational purposes only, and readers agree to Wall Street Sector Selector’s Disclaimer , Terms of Service , and Privacy Policy before accessing or using this or any other publication by Wall Street Sector Selector or Ridgeline Media Group, LLC.