Investing.com - U.S. non-farm private employment rose less than expected in July, but remained in territory consistent with a strengthening labor market, industry data showed on Wednesday.
Non-farm private employment rose by a seasonally adjusted 178,000 last month, just below forecasts for an increase of 185,000, payroll processing firm ADP said.
The economy created 191,000 jobs in June, upwardly revised from a previously reported increase of 158,000.
While not viewed as a reliable guide for the government jobs report due on Friday, August 4, it does give guidance on private-sector hiring.
USD/JPY was at 110.80 compared to 110.72 ahead of the release of the data, EUR/USD was trading at 1.1820 from around 1.1830, while GBP/USD was at 1.3224 from 1.3232 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 92.91, compared to 92.83 ahead of the report.
Meanwhile, U.S. stock futures pointed to a higher open. The Dow futures rose 40 points, or around 0.2%, the S&P 500 futures added 2 points, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 futures jumped 44 points.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures traded at $1,264.63 a troy ounce, compared to $1,266.40 ahead of the data, while crude oil traded at $49.01 a barrel from $49.05 earlier.