The ADP National Employment Report announced that private sector employment in the US increased by 235,000 in December, above expectations.

Economists had forecast that private sector employment in the US would increase by 150,000 in December.

Thus, employment in the private sector showed the best performance since July of last year.

The increase in employment in the private sector in November was 127 thousand people.

DECREASE IN MARKETS AFTER DATA

Futures contracts for major US stock indexes fell sharply as US private sector employment rose more than expected in December, raising concerns about US rate hikes. US Federal Reserve (Fed).

As of 4:27 p.m. CEST, the Dow Jones Index futures contract was down 0.23 percent, while the S&P 500 Index futures contract was down 0.20 percent. Nasdaq 100 Index futures fell 0.20%.

The ounce of gold has lost value by more than 0.80 percent and fell back to the level of 1840 dollars. With the strengthening of the dollar index, the euro/dollar parity also lost value by more than 0.30 percent.

CLAIMS FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS BELOW EXPECTATIONS

Claims for unemployment benefits in the country were made below expectations with 204,000 last week.

According to seasonally adjusted data announced by the US Department of Labor, the number of claims, previously announced at 225,000 for the week of December 24, has been revised to 223,000.

Economists had forecast jobless claims to number 225.

The four-week average of US jobless claims, believed to be a better indicator of US labor market trends, fell to 213,750.