Investing.com - U.S. non-farm private employment rose less-than-expected in July, dampening optimism over the strength of the U.S. labor market, industry data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, payroll processing firm ADP said non-farm private employment rose by a seasonally adjusted 218,000 this month, below expectations for an increase of 230,000. The economy created 281,000 jobs in June.
While not viewed as a reliable guide for the government jobs report due on Friday, August 1, it does give guidance on private-sector hiring.
Following the release of the data, the U.S. dollar held on to gains against the euro, with EUR/USD shedding 0.07% to trade at 1.3399.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock index futures remained higher. The Dow indicated a gain of 0.2% at the open, the S&P 500 pointed to a rise of 0.2%, while the Nasdaq 100 indicated an increase of 0.4%.