- Fastest rate of new order growth since May 2010 - Strong rise in output, with rate of increase at ten-month high - Job creation at nine-month high Summary The final Markit U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI™)1 signalled a strong expansion of the U.S. manufacturing sector at the start of 2013. Moreover, at 55.8, below the earlier flash estimate of 56.1 but higher than that recorded in December (54.0), the PMI signalled the fastest rate of growth in nine months. PMI index readings above 50.0 signal an increase or improvement on the prior month, while readings below 50.0 indicate a decrease. ... (full story)