A private survey shows US businesses sharply increased hiring in December, helped by a surge of new construction jobs created to help rebuild from Superstorm Sandy.
Payroll processor ADP said today that employers added 215,000 jobs in December. That is more than November's total of 148,000, which was revised higher.
The survey showed companies added 39,000 construction jobs last month. That was partly in response to the storm but also an indication of the housing recovery under way.
The increase in hiring took place before Congress and President Barack Obama reached a deal to avoid sharp tax increases from hitting most Americans, a sign that uncertainty surrounding the fiscal cliff did little to slow the job market.
The ADP survey covers hiring only in the private sector. The figures have diverged at times from the US government's more comprehensive jobs report, which will be released tomorrow. Most economists predict that report will show employers added roughly 150,000 jobs last month.
Even with the strong month of job growth, the ADP survey offered a reminder of a key area of the economy which remains weak - manufacturers cut 11,000 jobs.
US Congress approved a budget deal this week that delayed crucial decisions about spending cuts for another two months. That assures more confrontation and uncertainty, especially because Congress must reach agreement later this winter to raise the government's debt limit.
