The private sector created 192,000 new jobs in January, better than expectations and reflective of the slowly improving trend in the labor market.
Small businesses led the way, adding 115,000 new positions. Services again were the most prolific suppliers of new labor, adding 177,000 workers, the bulk coming from the 40,000 in professional and business services jobs.
The manufacturing sector lost 3,000 jobs. Goods-producing businesses added 15,000 positions, primarily in construction.
Economists had expected the report, compiled jointly by ADP and Moody's Analytics, to show the private sector created 165,000 new jobs in January.