Private sector employment increased by 213,000 jobs in the U.S. in January from December, according to the ADP National Employment Report released on Wednesday.

This is the lowest rate since September and follows an upwardly revised figure of 253,000 job additions in December.

The report, which comes from payroll processor ADP, is based on actual payroll data, also showed goods-producing employment rose by 31,000 jobs in January, down from 47,000 jobs gained in December.

A federal reported on unemployment is set for release on Friday.

“Employment posted another solid gain in January, although the pace of growth is slower than in recent months,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist of Moody’s Analytics. “Businesses in the energy and supplying industries are already scaling back payrolls in reaction to the collapse in oil prices, while industries benefiting from the lower prices have been slower to increase their hiring. All indications are that the job market will continue to improve in 2015.”

The construction industry added 18,000 jobs, down from last month’s gain of 26,000, while manufacturing added 14,000 jobs in January, below December’s 23,000. Service-providing employment rose by 183,000 jobs in January, down from 207,000 in December. (More details are in the graphic at the bottom of this story)

Meantime, a separate report shows economic activity in the nation’s service sector grew in January for the 60th consecutive month, according to the nation’s purchasing and supplies executives.

The latest reading of the Non-Manufacturing Index from the Institute for Supply Management shows it registered 56.7% in January, 0.2 of a percentage point higher than the December reading of 56.5%. A reading over 50% indicates growth while one below this level shows contraction.

“According to the NMI, eight [of the 16] non-manufacturing industries reported growth in January,” said by Anthony Nieves, chair of the Institute for Supply Management Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. “Comments from respondents vary by industry and company, however, they are mostly positive and/or reflect stability about business conditions."

The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index increased to 61.5%, 2.9 percentage points higher than the December reading while the New Orders Index registered 59.5 percent, 0.3 of a percentage point higher than over the same time period. The Employment Index fell 4.1 percentage points to 51.6% from the December reading of 55.7%, but still indicates growth for the 11th consecutive month.


      ADP National Employment Report: Private Sector Employment Increased by 213,000 Jobs in January

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Evan Lockridge

Evan Lockridge

Former Business Contributing Editor

Trucking journalist since 1990, in the news business since early ‘80s.

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