U.S. Companies Add Most Jobs in Four Months, ADP Data Show (1)

U.S. companies added the most jobs in four months in August while jobless claims stayed low last week, reports showed Sept. 5, suggesting the labor market remains healthy despite a slowdown in manufacturing and global weakness.

Businesses’ payrolls increased by 195,000 after a downwardly revised 142,000 gain in July, according to the ADP Research Institute. The latest data compared with the median estimate of economists for a 148,000 increase. A separate Labor Department report Sept. 5 showed filings for unemployment benefits were little changed last week, near the lowest level since 1969.

Key Insights

• The ADP report indicates hiring ...