Experts are saying the economy down south is slowing, but figures out Thursday morning suggest companies set for hiring don't seem convinced.
Job creation surged in December in the U.S. as measured by the latest ADP/Moody’s Analytics survey released Thursday.
Companies added 271,000 new positions as 2018 came to a close, smashing estimates of 178,000 from economists. It was the survey’s best month since February 2017, which saw a gain of 280,000, and brought the average monthly gain for last year to 206,000.
December also showed a marked gain from November, when just 157,000 new jobs were added, a total revised lower from the initially reported 179,000.
President Donald Trump likely watched the numbers very closely, as it could be a harbinger of non-payroll figures, due out Friday.
Economists expect the government’s payrolls report being released Friday to show 176,000 new jobs in December, with the unemployment rate edging lower to 3.6%, according to Dow Jones. That estimate could be revised higher following Thursday’s report.
