Private-sector employers added 44,000 jobs in July, according to payroll processing firm ADP. The increase was reported Wednesday and fell short of economists’ expectations.

Economists had projected a gain of 70,000 private-sector jobs for the month. The result points to a weaker increase in private employment than anticipated.

ADP also revised the previous month’s reading lower to 95,000 jobs. The report provides an update on private-sector hiring ahead of broader labor-market data.