Mixed data from the US labor market. According to the report prepared by Macroeconomics Avdisers and Automatic Data Processing (the agency that prepares payroll), in December 215 jobs were created in the private sector, well over the 149 expected by analysts. The November figure has also been revised upwards (from 118 thousand to 148 thousand). The services sector was the driving force (187 new hires). Small businesses (less than 50 employees) hired 37 people, medium-sized businesses (up to 500 employees) 102, large 87.
On the other hand, the data relating to the unemployment benefits, which last week rose by 10 units (beyond expectations) to 372. The previous week's reading was revised upwards by 12 units to 362. Even this week's result risks being heavily revised, as the data for 9 US federal states were subject to simple estimates due to the Christmas holidays. On average over the last four weeks, requests have dropped from 359.750 to 360 units. On an ongoing basis, however, subsidies increased from 3,206 to 3,345 million.
