A closely-watched report has shown that the pace of job creation by US private employers accelerated by more than expected in February.
The private sector added 216,000 jobs last month, the ADP National Employment Report showed, topping economists' expectations for a gain of 208,000. January's figures were revised up to an increase of 173,000 from 170,000.
The ADP figures come ahead of the government's more comprehensive labour market report on Friday, which includes both public and private sector employment.
Economists polled by Reuters are expecting Friday's report to show a gain of 210,000 in employment, with the addition of 225,000 jobs in the private sector.
