Link to article with good news to start the year right...
WASHINGTON - An unexpectedly strong report on manufacturing activity Monday bolstered confidence that America's factories will help sustain an economic recovery.
The report by a private trade group signals that industrial production is likely to keep expanding in coming months, economists said. That could lead, in turn, to increased hiring and job creation.
The Institute for Supply Management, a trade group of purchasing executives, said its manufacturing index read 55.9 in December after 53.6 in November. A reading above 50 indicates growth.
It was the fifth straight month of expansion and the highest reading for the index since April 2006. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a reading of 54.3.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/34687608/ns/business-stocks_and_economy/