U.S. Economy: Companies Added 157,000 Workers to Payrolls

Companies in the U.S. added twice as many workers as forecast in June, signaling an improvement in the labor market that may help bolster the economy in the second half of the year.

The 157,000 increase followed a 36,000 gain the prior month, according to data from ADP Employer Services. The median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey called for an advance of 70,000. Other reports today showed fewer Americans filed jobless claims and consumer confidence eased from a 10-week high.