Private businesses revved up hiring in February Private businesses stepped up hiring more than expected in February, according to a widely-watched survey that is often seen as a herald for the crucial monthly employment data due on Friday. Payrolls processor ADP said Wednesday that private-sector employment increased by 216,000 on a seasonally-adjusted basis. Economists had been expecting a rise of 208,000, according to Reuters. This does suggest we are moving it the right direction. It supports the expectations of another 200,000-plus in Friday's payroll report. The jobs numbers are looking healthier," said Beth Ann Bovino, senior U.S. economist at Standard & Poor's. January's payrolls figures were revised up to an increase of 173,000 from 170,000. The report is jointly developed with Macroeconomic Advisers LLC. The job market has been showing signs of improvement in recent months, although the unemployment rate remains high at more than 8 percent.