4 January 2024
The U.S. private sector hiring exceeded expectations in December, contributing to a robust jobs market in 2023. According to ADP, private payrolls increased by 164,000, surpassing the Dow Jones estimate of 130,000 and the previous month’s revised 101,000. This growth indicates a tight labor market, with initial jobless claims also dropping in the last week of the year. Leisure and hospitality led the gains, adding 59,000 jobs and showcasing the highest annual wage growth at 6.4%. Other significant contributions came from construction and various service industries, while manufacturing and resources sectors experienced slight declines.