Private hiring slowed in April out of fear of tariff impacts. 'Unease is the word of the day,' ADP chief economist says

woman sitting next to empty desks (Credit: Getty Images—Halfpoint)

• Private-sector hiring slowed in April with payrolls increasing just 62,000, according to ADP’s National Employment Report released Wednesday. This is much lower than expected and a far cry from the 147,000 job gains in March. An ADP economist said “unease” about the economy is to blame for lower payrolls.

It’s not just the federal government that’s struggling with employment numbers. Private-sector payrolls increased just 62,000 in April, down from 147,000 in March, according to ADP’s monthly national employment report released Wednesday.