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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Private employers added 220,000 jobs in April

Christopher S. Rugaber Associated Press

WASHINGTON – U.S. businesses boosted hiring in April, according to a private survey, a sign the economy may improve after a sluggish start this year.

Payroll processer ADP said Wednesday that private employers added 220,000 jobs in April, the most since November and up from 209,000 in March.

The figures suggest that the government’s jobs report for April, to be released Friday, could show a healthy gain. Economists forecast that report will show employers added 210,000 jobs in April, according to a survey by FactSet. That would be the most in five months.

A strong increase of 200,000 or more jobs would give the economy a much-needed boost after harsh winter snowstorms kept shoppers indoors and dragged down home and car sales.

The ADP report says most of the hiring occurred in service industries such as retail, transportation and professional services. Construction firms added 19,000 jobs, a healthy gain. Manufacturing added just 1,000.

Hiring was also widespread among companies of all sizes.

The step-up in hiring comes after job gains faltered over the winter. The federal government says employers added only 84,000 jobs in December and 144,000 in January. Hiring then improved to 197,000 in February and 192,000 last month.

There are other signs the job market is getting better. The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid has fallen to the lowest level since the recession, a sign companies are laying off fewer workers.

The ADP numbers cover only private businesses and often diverge from the government’s more comprehensive report.