Todays Economy Data Wrap-up

1. UK December PMI
The UK's manufacturing sector, which accounts for around 15 pct of the country's GDP, saw growth ease unexpectedly in December to its slowest rate in nine months at 51.9 below the expectations. combination of higher domestic interest rates and a strong pound appears to have taken the momentum out of manufacturing. The index measuring output dropped to 52.1, its lowest since March, from 53.6 in November, while the new orders sub-index slipped to 53.1 from 53.6. Meanwhile, the index measuring employment rose to 49.0 from 47.7. Elsewhere, the indices measuring prices also fell. Input prices fell to 58.3, its lowest since August 2005, from 62.5 in November, while the output prices sub-index dropped to 53.5 from 53.8.

2. Euro-Zone December PMI
Euroznes PMI data slips to its 9 month low at 56.5. Despite the PMI's fall, the sector continues to grow at a solid pace. Input price and employments sub-index led to this 9 month low reading of PMI and output prices and output component supported the further fall in PMI.

3. German December PMI
increased to 59.4 points in December from 58.3 in November and came in well above expectations. A reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing sector is expanding, while one below 50 indicates contraction.