THE WEEK AHEAD
Some of the major business and economic events scheduled for this week:
TODAY
* Purchasing managers issue report for November.
* Commerce Department releases data for October construction spending.
* Hearing begins on whether Charles Keating gets new trial in his state thrift fraud case.
TUESDAY
* Conference Board releases October report on leading economic indicators.
* Commerce Department releases November new-home sales data.
* General Motors reports November sales figures.
WEDNESDAY
* Federal Reserve Board releases “beige book” of regional economic activity.
* Ford reports November sales figures.
THURSDAY
* Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims data and third-quarter productivity figures.
FRIDAY
* Labor Department releases November employment report.
* Commerce Department releases data for October factory orders.
* Federal Reserve Board releases October consumer credit data.