Private Sector | featured news

Private-sector jobs in the U.S. increased 209,000 last month, according to a national employment report published by payroll processor ADP. The gain was just above economists' median expectation of 200,000 contained in a survey done by Dow Jones Newswires.

The pace of job creation by private employers accelerated more than expected in February, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Wednesday.

Recent trends hold with the Labor Department reporting a gain of 140,000 private-sector jobs last month but a loss of another 20,000 government jobs. It's a monthly ritual in the race for the White House.

The ADP report showed private employers added 206,000 jobs this month, prompting economists to raise their forecasts for the U.S. labor report on Friday.

U.S. consumer confidence bounced back from a 2-1/2 year low in November as apprehension about job and income prospects eased, according to a private sector report released Tuesday.

The pace of U.S. private sector job growth slowed in August for the second month in a row with employers adding 91,000 positions, a report by a payrolls processor showed on Wednesday.

Payroll firm ADP said private businesses added 114,000 jobs in July, more than expected, but similarly strong figures last month contrasted with government data.

Private businesses added a stronger number of jobs in June than expected, according to ADP, while new claims for jobless benefits fell last week.

Private-sector payroll growth slowed sharply in May, coming in far below expectations and falling to the lowest level in eight months, a report showed Wednesday.

Signs of weakness in the U.S. economic recovery mounted as reports on Wednesday showed a sharp slowdown in the vast services sector and less hiring by private companies in April.