Coin World News reported that the U.S. December ISM Manufacturing PMI is 49.3, expected 48.4, previous value 48.4, marking the second consecutive month of increase since last December. Orders and production have both rebounded, indicating that the clouds hanging over the manufacturing sector may begin to lift. According to output indicators, the rebound in demand has helped achieve the first month of production growth since May. Meanwhile, the survey shows that more producers are laying off workers at a faster pace. The employment index for December dropped to 45.3, a decrease of nearly 3 points, the largest since July of last year. Among the five indicators that make up the overall PMI index, the remaining indicators have all improved. ISM Manufacturing Business Survey Committee Chairman Timothy Fiore stated, "Demand is improving, production performance has reached the levels of November and the company's goals; layoffs are still ongoing, but should come to an end soon, and price growth is minimal." (Jinshi)