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.