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U.S. manufacturing expands slightly in December

Figures from the Institute for Supply Management show that economic activity in the US manufacturing sector expanded in December, following one month of contraction, while the overall economy grew for the 43rd consecutive month. ISM's index registered 50.7% for December. A reading of more than 50% indicates that the manufacturing economy is generally expanding; less than 50% indicates that it is generally contracting. The New Orders Index remained at 50.3%, the same rate as in November, indicating growth in new orders for the fourth consecutive month. The Production Index registered 52.6%, a decrease of 1.1 percentage points, indicating growth in production for the third consecutive month. The Employment Index registered 52.7%, an increase of 4.3 percentage points, indicating a resumption of growth in employment. Both the Exports and Imports Indexes registered 51.5%, returning both indexes to growth territory following consecutive periods of contraction of six and four months, respectively.

CompositesWorld.com Weekly, 3 Jan. 2013. http://tinyurl.com/ajsok77