U.S. employers added 40,000 jobs in May

ROSELAND, N.J., June 4 (UPI) -- U.S. employers added 40,000 jobs from April to May, four times the number added in the previous month, a private payroll report said Wednesday.

The ADP Employer Services said the service sector grew by 77,000 jobs, while goods-producing jobs declined by 37,000.

It was the 18th consecutive month of declines in goods producing jobs and the 21st straight month of losses in manufacturing jobs, which fell by 26,000, the report said.

Large businesses -- those with more than 500 workers -- lost 18,000 jobs. Medium-size companies -- between 50 and 499 workers -- lost 3,000 jobs. But, small companies with under 50 workers gained 61,000 jobs during the month.

Two job sectors, construction and home sale related jobs "hit hardest by recent problems in mortgage markets" declined, the report said.

Construction employment lost 13,000 positions in May, marking the 18th straight month construction employment has dropped, the report said.

The monthly report is compiled by ADP with Macroeconomic Advisers LLC of St. Louis.