Survey: US companies add 238K jobs, most in year

WASHINGTON (AP) -- A private survey shows U.S. businesses added the most jobs in a year in December, powered by a big gain in construction jobs. The figures add to evidence that the economy gained momentum at the end of 2013.

Payroll processor ADP says companies added 238,000 jobs in December, up slightly from 229,000 in the previous month. November's figures were revised higher.

Construction firms added 48,000 jobs in December, the most since 2006.

The ADP numbers cover only private businesses and often diverge from the government's more comprehensive report. But both reports have shown a solid pickup in hiring since the summer.

Last month, the Labor Department said private businesses added 203,000 jobs in November. The Labor Department will report on December job growth Friday.

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