American companies shrank payrolls in September, confirming earlier evidence that suggested weakened demand for labor in the U.S.

Private-sector payrolls fell by 32,000 last month, according to ADP Research data released Wednesday. The median estimate in an Econoday survey of economists called for a gain of 50,000.

The prior month’s initial estimate of a 54,000 gain was revised down to a loss of 3,000 jobs.

The government’s September employment report would normally be published on Friday, the first Friday of the month. But because of the government shutdown that began at midnight, the report will be delayed. Economists were expecting the Department of Labor to say the economy added 50,000 jobs, including a gain of 60,000 in the private sector and a loss of 10,000 government jobs.

The

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