The business activity in the US manufacturing sector continued to contract, albeit at a softening pace in December, with the ISM Manufacturing PMI rising to 49.3 from 48.4 in November. This reading came in better than the market expectation of 48.4.
The Employment Index of the PMI survey edged lower to 45.3 from 48.1 in the same period and the Prices Paid Index climbed to 52.5 from 50.3, highlighting stronger price pressures. Finally, the New Orders Index improved to 52.5 from 50.4.
The US Dollar Index showed no immediate reaction to this report and was last seen losing 0.3% on the day at 108.95.