A survey shows U.S. businesses added 166,000 jobs last month, a sign of only modest improvement in hiring.

The Labor Department has no plans to release the closely watched U.S. monthly jobs report on Friday in case of a partial government shutdown that lasts through the week.

Some economists are forecasting a healthier job gain in September than the economy has produced in recent months.

The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits rose 15,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 309,000.

The U.S. government posted a narrower budget deficit in August compared with a year ago, keeping the annual gap on track to be the smallest in five years.

U.S. employers advertised fewer jobs in July but hired more workers, a mixed sign that suggests only modest improvement in the job market.

Signs of improvement in the U.S. economy emerged this week, and the jobs report the government will issue Friday will show whether that strength is fueling consistent hiring gains.

U.S. employers added 169,000 jobs in August and many fewer in July than previously thought.