U.S. manufacturing PMI confirmed at 7-month high

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
The final Markit U.S. manufacturing purchasing managers index reached 54.0 in December, a seven-month high but below the flash reading of 54.2
PMI index readings above 50.0 signal an increase or improvement on the prior month, while readings below 50.0 indicate a decrease
A similar gauge is due in an hour's time from the Institute for Supply Management
"With recent indications that growth is also picking up in other key economies around the world, notably in emerging markets such as China and Brazil, and that the euro zone's economic crisis is easing, U.S. companies should benefit as stronger demand lifts exports in early 2013," Said Chris Williamson, chief economist at Markit, in a statement