Hiring by US companies slowed sharply in February, according to the ADP Employment Report. Employers added 77,000 workers last month, well below expectations and January’s 186,000 increase. “Policy uncertainty and a slowdown in consumer spending might have led to layoffs or a slowdown in hiring last month,” said ADP’s chief economist, Nela Richardson. “Our data, combined with other recent indicators, suggests a hiring hesitancy among employers as they assess the economic climate ahead.”
