by Calculated Risk on 12/07/2017 01:46:00 PM

On Friday at 8:30 AM ET, the BLS will release the employment report for November. Merrill Lynch economists expect the following:

We forecast that nonfarm payrolls increased by an above-trend 210k in November. While nonfarm payrolls rebounded ... in October, it was well short of offsetting the decline seen in September and therefore we expect a further rebound in job growth in November. ... Elsewhere, we expect the unemployment rate to tick up to 4.2% from 4.1%. The unemployment rate declined in October as the labor force participation rate and household employment dropped sharply, potentially due to noise in the household survey. On wages, with labor market conditions continuing to tighten, we look for average hourly earnings growth to rebound to 0.3% mom in November after a flat reading in October. If realized, the yoy rate should jump to 2.7% from 2.4%, previously.

The consensus, according to Bloomberg, is for an increase of 190,000 non-farm payroll jobs in November (with a range of estimates between 153,000 to 250,000), and for the unemployment rate to be unchanged at 4.1%.

The BLS reported 261,000 jobs added in October.

Here is a summary of recent data:

• The ADP employment report showed an increase of 190,000 private sector payroll jobs in November. This was above consensus expectations of 186,000 private sector payroll jobs added. The ADP report hasn't been very useful in predicting the BLS report for any one month, but in general, this suggests employment growth close to or above expectations.

• The ISM manufacturing employment index decreased in November to 59.7%. A historical correlation between the ISM manufacturing employment index and the BLS employment report for manufacturing, suggests that private sector BLS manufacturing payroll increased about 34,000 in October. The ADP report indicated manufacturing jobs increased 40,000 in November.

The ISM non-manufacturing employment index decreased in November to 55.3%. A historical correlation between the ISM non-manufacturing employment index and the BLS employment report for non-manufacturing, suggests that private sector BLS non-manufacturing payroll jobs increased about 215,000 in November.

Combined, the ISM indexes suggests employment gains of about 249,000.  This suggests employment growth above expectations.

• Initial weekly unemployment claims averaged 241,500 in November,  up from 232,000 in October. For the BLS reference week (includes the 12th of the month), initial claims were at 240,000, up from 223,000 during the reference week in October.

The increase during the reference week suggests a weaker employment report in November than in October.

• The final November University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased to 98.5 from the October reading of 10000.7. Sentiment is frequently coincident with changes in the labor market, but there are other factors too like gasoline prices and politics.

• Conclusion:  The ISM reports suggest a strong report.  The ADP report and weekly claims suggest a an employment report close to expectations.   My guess is the employment report will be above the consensus.