Unemployment benefit applications drop sharply

I wouldn't look for huge improvements anytime soon. Anyone who bought or refi'd from 2003 to 2009 is so completely overspent, they have no disposable income to patronize businesses.

If anyone paid more than 2x their household income on a house and still has a mortgage, they are essentially in the poor house.

too few jobs are being created to lower the 9.8 percent unemployment rate.

Wages and salaries barely budged. Hiring slowed in November.

Total orders for durable goods dropped 1.3 percent.

Housing remains a drag on the economy.

economic growth probably won't be fast enough to quickly reduce unemployment.

The economy added a net total of only 39,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent.The total unemployment benefits rolls dropped by 103,000 to little more than 4 million in the week ending Dec. 11, the department said. That doesn't include (4.7) millions of additional laid-off workers who are receiving emergency aid under extended unemployment benefits programs set up during the recession.

Economy brightens as consumers spend, layoffs slow.

The economy brightens? Based upon the above quotes from this article's author, I would say that statement might be a little overly optimistic. Unemployment numbers are declining because the 99ers are running out of benefits. With federal, state, and local officials all planning major budget cuts next year, I would not be anticipating a surge upward in the economy or employment. There still have been no serious job creation initiatives implemented.