US private payrolls increase in February; January revised sharply higher

Private payrolls increase 475,000 in February; January data revised higher to show gain instead of loss

US private employers hired more workers than expected in February and data for the prior month was revised sharply higher to show strong job gains instead of losses, aligning with other reports that have painted an upbeat picture of the labor market.

Private payrolls increased by 475,000 jobs last month, the ADP National Employment Report showed on Wednesday. Employers added 509,000 jobs in January rather than laying off 301,000 workers as was initially reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast private payrolls would increase by 388,000 jobs.

While the report suggested the economy was on solid footing as the winter