By Hugo Martin, Los Angeles Times –
In another possible sign of an improving U.S. economy, private companies added 216,000 more jobs in February, according to a study released Wednesday by a private company.
The new numbers mark a significant improvement over the 173,000 new jobs added in January, according to Automatic Data Processing Inc. a New Jersey-based human resources, payroll and benefits company that releases a monthly jobs report based on data from nearly 500,000 clients.
The biggest jump in new jobs came in the service sector, which added 170,000 jobs, according to the report. “Goods-producing” businesses, including agriculture, construction and manufacturing added 46,000 jobs in February.
“For February, virtually every sector of the economy added jobs — something I hope will continue for the rest of 2012,” said Carlos Rodriguez, president of Automatic Data Processing.
The increase in new jobs in February marks the 25th consecutive monthly gain in private-sector employment and suggests the national unemployment rate of 8.3 percent may have dropped slightly, said Joel Prakken, chairman of Macroeconomic Advisers, a St. Louis-based economic forecasting firm that partnered with ADP to produce the monthly report.
“Conditions continue to improve at a moderate pace and are consistent with other indicators suggesting some firming of the labor market,” he added.
The U.S. Labor Department is scheduled to release its job statistics for February on Friday.
Just what we needed 170,000 service jobs( minimum wage)! Meanwhile federal government workers average around 75.000 and their agencies are mostly bankrupt. Wake up, people, our national debt has increased more since Obama than it had from George Washington through George W Bush and is unpayable. Especially since Fort Knox is most likely empty of gold! We better rid Washing ton of most everybody this election or a loaf of bread will cost $5000.00 and we’ll be makin $5.85 an hour. That’s what printing useless money causes!
The debt rose 4.9 trillion during Bushs 8 years in office. It has gone up just under 4 trillion since Obama took office. Sounds like you read only republican talking points! The debt was out of control when it hit 1 trillion if you ask me (independent voter) so how come so called conservatives didn’t say anything till now?