MarketWatch (01/03/13) Ruth Mantell
The U.S. added 215,000 private-sector jobs in December, ADP estimated today, led by a gain of 187,000 services jobs. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a gain of 149,000 private-sector jobs. The gain in November was revised to 148,000 from a prior estimate of 118,000.
The U.S. Department of Labor’s employment report is due Friday and covers private-sector and government jobs. Currently, analysts expect the government to report that nonfarm employment rose 153,000 in December, compared with a gain of 146,000 in November.