The private sector added 176,000 jobs in August while weekly jobless claims continued their decline, indicative that the employment picture continues to notch slow but steady gains.

Weekly claims fell another 9,000 to 323,000, consistent with an improving climate that likely will do nothing to deter the Federal Reserve from its intention to begin a September pullback on its monthly asset purchasing program.



Market movement reflected misgivings over the withdrawal of central bank stimulus, as the positive data did not move equity futures off their flat level prior to the open.

The ADP number was just below expectations of 180,000 and below the July adjusted total of 198,000.

(Read more: US planned layoffs jump in August: Challenger)