Private Hiring Picks Up, Jobless Claims Fall

U.S. private employers stepped up hiring in June and the number of Americans filing for jobless benefits fell last week, strengthening views that the economy is positioned for a pickup in the second half.

Payrolls processor ADP said on Thursday that private sector employment increased 157,000 after a modest 36,000 gain in May -- beating economists' expectations for a 68,000 rise.