NEW YORK (AP) - A surprising jump in hiring sent bond prices lower and lifted the dollar Wednesday. The Dow Jones industrial average edged higher for the third straight day of the new year.
A survey from payroll processor ADP found that private companies added 297,000 jobs last month, nearly triple the number that economists were expecting. The report is the first chance for investors to see how strong the job market was in December.
The Dow gained 31.71 points, or 0.3 percent, to 11,722.8. It closed at its highest level since August 11, 2008.
The Standard & Poor's 500 index rose 6.36, or 0.5 percent, to 1,276.56.