U.S. nonfarm private-sector employment rose by 162,000 in September from the previous month, on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to the national employment report released by Automatic Data Process Inc. (NASD: ADP). Estimated gains in previous months were revised lower: The July increase was reduced by 17,000 to an increase of 156,000, while the August increase was reduced by 12,000 to an increase of 189,000.

Employment in the service-providing sector expanded by 144,000 in September and the goods-producing sector added 18,000 jobs.