Private companies added 67,000 in August, which was higher than expected, but the national unemployment rate still increased to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent, largely because more people are looking for work, the Labor Department reported Friday.

Overall, the economy lost 54,000 jobs last month, which was mainly the result of 114,000 temporary census positions ending. Additionally, the Labor Department revised upwards the private-sector numbers for both July and June. Most economists are viewing the latest numbers as a positive indicator, the Associated Press reports.

The manufacturing sector lost jobs for the first time this year in August. The sector lost a net total of 27,000 jobs last month, which was largely the result of 22,000 lost jobs in the auto industry.

According to the AP, President Obama said the numbers show the economy “is moving in the right direction,” but additional action is needed.

“It reflects the steps we’ve already taken to break the back of this recession. But it’s not nearly good enough,” Obama said.