What was the expected number of jobs to be added in the private sector according to economists' forecasts?

Economists had expected private sector employment to grow by 140,000 jobs in February.

Which sectors experienced job losses in February?

Job losses were reported in trade/transportation/utilities, education/health services, and information sectors.

What factors might have contributed to the slowdown in hiring?

Policy uncertainty and a slowdown in consumer spending are cited as potential factors contributing to the hiring slowdown.

Which sector saw the most significant job gains in February?

The leisure and hospitality sector added the most jobs, with an increase of 41,000.

3 sources·Business

U.S. Private Sector Job Growth Hits Lowest Level Since July Amid Economic Concerns

Private sector job creation slowed to 77,000 in February, sparking worries of an economic slowdown and policy uncertainty, according to the ADP report.

33%

67%

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Though most economic data points remain positive, sentiment indicators have shown rising fears among both business executives and consumers that the Trump tariffs could raise prices and slow growth.
Private employers added just 77,000 jobs in February, far below expectations, ADP says
CNBC·19d
Reliable
This source consistently reports facts with minimal bias, demonstrating high-quality journalism and accuracy.
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Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.
The figure – the lowest since July – is well below economists’ estimates of 140,000 jobs and also more than the prior month’s upwardly revised reading of 186,000.
Private sector adds just 77K jobs in February, well below expectations, ADP says
Fox Business·19d
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Leans Right
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Overall nonfarm payrolls are estimated to have increased by 160,000 jobs after rising 143,000 in January.
US Job Growth Slows Sharply
Newsmax·19d
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This source has a mixed track record—sometimes accurate but also prone to bias, sensationalism, or incomplete reporting.
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Right
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Updated: Mar 5th, 2025, 12:48 PM ET

Summary

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

The ADP report revealed private sector job growth fell to just 77,000 in February, significantly lower than expectations and the previous month's figures. Concerns over policy uncertainty, particularly regarding tariffs, and a slowdown in consumer spending may be contributing factors to this decline. Job losses were reported in various sectors, with leisure and hospitality seeing the most job gains. Analysts anticipate further insights from the Labor Department's forthcoming employment report.

Perspectives

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Job creation in the private sector has significantly slowed, with only 77,000 jobs added in February, raising concerns about an economic slowdown.
Economists express concern that uncertainty in policy, such as tariffs, and a drop in consumer spending are contributing to a hesitancy in hiring.
Despite the overall positive economic data, fear persists among businesses and consumers regarding potential inflation and its impact on growth.

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