US December manufacturing activity likely expanded modestly

US ISM manufacturing index in December is expected to come in at 49.0 by the market consensus. ISM prices paid index is expected to come in at 36.0 in December, rising from its previous value of 35.5, as expected by consensus.

Markit US manufacturing PMI is likely to come in at 51.3 as per consensus expectations for December. The employment diffusion index as BLS  updated the hiring situation due out at enf of the week, is likely to recieve considerable attention in this report.

"Available district Federal Reserve Bank manufacturing surveys, along with midwestern purchasing manager reports, suggest that the ISM national activity gauge likely ended 2015 in expansionary territory, climbing to 50.4 after a below-consensus 48.6 print in November", says Societe Generale in a research note.