Amid hopes for hiring, Monster gains

Monster Worldwide, which has its primary offices in Maynard and New York City, marched higher amid encouraging news about the job market, with the stock closing near a 52-week high. The Institute for Supply Management said its index of service sector activity rose to 57.1 in December; a reading above 50 indicates growth. Economists say increased demand for services could lift employment. Also, the payroll services provider ADP said the economy added 297,000 private-sector jobs last month. The government is expected to report tomorrow that employers added a net total of 145,000 jobs in December and that the unemployment rate declined to 9.7 percent, from 9.8 percent.