U.S. unemployment falls to 7%

The national unemployment rate fell three-tenths of a point to 7 percent in November, its lowest point in five years, according to data released today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

During November, nonfarm payroll employment rose by 203,000 jobs, marked by increases in transportation and warehousing, health care and manufacturing, according to a news release.

Transportation and warehousing employment increased by 31,000 jobs last month, bolstered by gains reported for couriers and messengers, with 9,000 jobs; truck transportation, 8,000; warehousing and storage, 5,000; and air transportation, 3,000.

Health care employment rose by 28,000 jobs during November. Within the industry, home health care services added 12,000 jobs; physicians' offices increased by 7,000; but nursing care facilities lost 4,000 jobs, the release said.

A 27,000-job increase in manufacturing was boosted by gains in food manufacturing, at 8,000 jobs, and in motor vehicles and parts, 7,000.