Wall Street Journal (08/01/12) Kathleen Madigan

Private-sector employment increased by 163,000 from June to July on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the latest ADP National Employment Report released today. The gain was far above economists’ median expectation of 108,000 contained in a survey done by Dow Jones Newswires. The estimated gain from May to June was revised down slightly, from the initial estimate of 176,000 to 172,000. The report showed large businesses with 500 employees or more added 23,000 employees in July, while medium-size businesses added 67,000 workers and small businesses that employ fewer than 50 workers hired 73,000 new workers.