WASHINGTON, Nov 5: The US private sector shed 157,000 jobs in October, accelerating a decline of 26,000 jobs in September, according to a monthly survey by a private payroll data firm released on Wednesday.

The October figure was much larger than analysts’ consensus forecast of a drop of 100,000 for the ADP National Employment Report.

Automatic Data Processing noted that its survey had not taken into account a strike by 27,000 machinists at aerospace giant Boeing that began September 6 and ended on Sunday.

ADP also sharply revised the September nonfarm jobs loss to 26,000 from a prior estimate of 8,000.

The October report “offers evidence of a labour market that continues to weaken,” ADP said.

The goods-producing sector drove the payrolls loss, shedding 126,000 jobs in its 23rd consecutive monthly decline, while the manufacturing sector marked its 26th straight monthly decline, losing 85,000 jobs.—AFP