The latest report beat the expected increase of 35,000 new jobs, and July marks the sixth straight month of private sector additions. However, it's a rather slack pace, averaging only 37,000 jobs per month.
Overall, 125,000 U.S. jobs were lost last month, primarily due to the Census ending 225,000 temporary positions. Private sector hiring of 83,000 was better than in May, but it's pretty weak for this point in a recovery. Still, any gains are hard to complain about.
Employment just can't get cranked up: ADP reports that the private sector added a scant 13,000 jobs in June, well below expectations. Ominously, the firm notes that "private employment may have decelerated heading into summer."
