US data point to slow healing in labour market

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US companies added jobs last month at the fastest pace in eight months, a sign of modest healing in the labour market just days before a presidential election that could hinge on the economy.

Other data showed a drop in new claims for jobless benefits last week, although another survey showed planned layoffs rose last month.

Payrolls processor Automatic Data Processing (ADP) said private employers added 158,000 workers last month. That was the biggest gain since February.

"There is some evidence of labour market improvement," said Mr David Sloan, an economist at 4Cast in New York. "It is not totally convincing yet, but overall the message is positive."