U.S. Non- Manufacturing Index Slightly Rose to 52.6%

Today, the U.S. non-manufacturing ISM report was published and the U.S. non-manufacturing PMI reached 52.6% in December.

The U.S. non-manufacturing PMI, which is an index that estimates the economic activity in the U.S. non-manufacturing sector, grew for the 25th consecutive month; the growth rate slightly rose from 52% in November to 52.6% in December i.e. a 0.6 percent points increase. This means that while the US non-manufacturing sector is still growing, it grew during December by a slightly faster pace than in November.

Among the leading sectors in U.S. non-manufacturing industries that grew during December include: Retail Trade; Professional, Scientific & Technical Services; Finance & Insurance; Information; Construction; Other Services; Wholesale Trade; Public Administration; Educational Services; Mining; and Transportation & Warehousing.

The leading industries that contracted during December include: Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting; Management of Companies & Support Services; Health Care & Social Assistance; Real Estate, Rental & Leasing; Accommodation & Food Services; Utilities; and Arts, Entertainment & Recreation.

The report shows that prices related to the non-manufacturing industries were growing slower in December than in November.  The business activity/production grew by the same rate.

Currently, the major U.S. stock market indexes were traded with mixed trend as the DOW is traded down and the S&P500 and NASDAQ are traded up. Currently, commodities prices are also traded with mixed trend:

Current Nymex crude oil price, short term futures (February 2012 delivery) is traded down by 1.45%, at $101.72 per barrel as of 20:51*.

Current gold price, short term futures (February 2012 delivery) is traded at $ 1,624 per t oz. a $11.4 increase or 0.71%, as of 20:42*.

Euros to USD is currently traded down at 1.2790 a 1.18% decrease as of 20:36*.

(* GMT)

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