U.S. Economy: Companies Hired 71,000 Workers in July

U.S. companies hired fewer workers than forecast in July, evidence of what Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke has called an “uncertain” economic environment that may keep him focused on reviving growth.

Private payrolls that exclude government agencies rose by 71,000 after a June gain of 31,000 that was smaller than previously reported, Labor Department figures in Washington showed today. Overall employment fell by 131,000, reflecting the dismissal of temporary census workers, and the jobless rate held at 9.5 percent.