UK manufacturing PMI hits 6-month highs at 54.2 in Dec, a positive surprise

The manufacturing sector activity in the UK economy extended its upbeat momentum in the month of December, the latest data from Markit showed on Wednesday.

The manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) in the UK arrived at 54.2 points in December, as compared to a previous 53.1 reading. Markets had predicted the PMI to tick lower to 52.5.