The US economy created 32,000 private sector jobs in April, a recruitment firm said today in a report that was slightly better than market expectations.
The manufacturing and service sectors both posted solid increases, according to ADP. According to revised data, it is the third month of rises in a row.
ADP said last month that the economy had shed 23,000 jobs, but that was revised today to an increase of 19,000.
The figure is a closely watched indicator of the health of the job market because it does not include census and other government hiring, which has swelled broader indicators.
US services sector still growing
Other data showed that the pace of growth in the US services sector was unchanged in April compared with the month before and expanded below the rate forecast by analysts.
The Institute for Supply Management said its services index was at 55.4 in April, the same in March but below the 56 forecast by many economists. Any figure above 50 indicates growth. The ISM report's employment component fell slightly to 49.5 from 49.8 in March.
Meanwhile, Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) data showed that demand for loans to buy U.S. homes hit a seven-month high last week. Home purchase loan applications jumped 13% in the week ended April 30 to the highest level since early October.
