The December 2017 PMI Index from the Institute of Supply Management climbed to 59.7, its highest December reading in at least 13 years and an increase of 1.5 points from 58.2 in November (any reading above 50 indicates expansion). New Orders jumped 5.4 points to 69.4, Production was up 1.9 points to 65.8 and New Export Orders increased 2.5 points to 58.5. The monthly PMI Index has been at or above 54.8 throughout 2017, reaching a high of 60.8 in September 2017. See the full report here.