Record gains in December trumped expectations.

Economists — you know, the experts on the economy who never seem to see market crashes coming — only expected 176,000.

Proving again the efficacy of MAGAnomics, however, the US Economy added more than 312,000.

Here are the stats:

Non-farm payrolls surged by 312,000 in December.

Wages jumped 3.2% from a year ago and 0.4% over the previous month. The year-over-year increase is tied with October for the best since April 2009.

For good reason: unemployment rose to 3.9% as 419K workers joined the labor force and got off government assistance.

Health care sector added 50K jobs.

Hospitality (restaurants, hotels and bars) added 41K jobs.

Construction added 38K for a total of 280K in 2018, a 12% increase over 2017.

Manufacturing added 32K jobs for a total of 284K for 2018 — a 37% increase from 2017 (Made in America, baby!)

Retail added 24K for a total of 92K in 2018, recapping its net loss of -29K in 2017. However, retail has only added 69K net jobs over the past two years.

Additionally, revisions to the October and November jobs reports saw an increase of 37k and 21K, respectively.

Max’s Take

The strengthening of manufacturing and construction jobs over the past two years points to a transitioning economy. One from a predominately retail based economic model, to an industrial based “blue collar” structure.

This is supported by the slowing growth of the retail sector as discussed above.

It is also indicative of the direction younger people are taking for first jobs. Traditionally, youths would seek out retail jobs, especially while in school.

However, in the era of returning American industry, young people are turning to blue collar jobs.

The Trump Administration’s focus on economic policies which favor US based manufacturing and construction is obviously intended to target this younger demographic of workers.

The end result could be a large stateside blue collar labor force driving a US-based “production economy” which exports goods to other countries.

Brilliant.

Can anyone say Built in America?

Related: With a long-term goal of reshaping the minds of liberal youths to serve their country, US Army invades 22 “left-leaning” cities for recruitment.