U.S. private employers unexpectedly shed more jobs in March, dimming hopes for job growth ahead of Friday's key employment report, while business conditions in New York City slipped. U.S. private employers cut 23,000 jobs in March, missing expectations for an increase in jobs although fewer than the adjusted 24,000 jobs lost in February, a report by a private employment service said on Wednesday.
"It throws a little cold water on the idea we were going to be adding jobs in March, which is a little disappointing, people thought finally this might be the month," said John Canally, investment strategist and economist for LPL Financial in Boston.
U.S. stock futures added to losses after the ADP report, while the dollar fell against the euro and U.S. government debt prices turned higher.
