Levels of employment within the US manufacturing and services industries have risen, new figures show.

Data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) reveal the employment index within the non-manufacturing sector climbed in November by 1.8 percentage points to 52.7, with any figure above 50 indicative of growth.

According to the organization's latest Report on Business, economic activity in the sector climbed for the 11th month in a row during the period in question, boosted by strong growth in new orders.

Commenting on the study chair of the ISM non-manufacturing business survey committee Anthony Nieves said: "Respondents' comments mostly reflect cautious optimism. There is a degree of uncertainty that still remains for some industries and companies."

Meanwhile, the ISM's manufacturing Report on Business revealed jobs in the industry also climbed during November marking the 12th consecutive month of increases, although the pace of growth dipped from 57.7 in October to 57.5.

Posted by Fiona Summers