In December, the PMI manufacturing index rises in Italy beyond expectations to 53,3, the top since April 2011

The PMI manufacturing index in December rises more than expected and reaches its highest level since April 2011, marking the sixth consecutive increase. The final reading of Markit Economics indicates for Italy an increase to 53,3 from 51,4. The 50-point threshold acts as a watershed between expansion and contraction of the cycle. According to findings, the improvement is also due to the "faster" increase in new orders and the sharp increase in exports. The index also rose in the Eurozone and reached a two-and-a-half-year high at 52,7 points. Slight increase in Germany, to 54,3 from 54,2, bad instead in France, which confirms the contraction with a drop in the index to 47 points from 47,1.