U.K. Manufacturing Output Shrinks Less Than Economists Forecast

U.K. manufacturing shrank less than economists forecast in December as demand increased in Germany and China.

A gauge of factory output based on a survey by Markit Economics and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply rose to 49.6 from a revised 47.7 in November, the groups said in an e-mailed statement today. The median forecast of 19 economists in a Bloomberg News survey was for a drop to 47.3 from an initially reported 47.6 in November. A level below 50 indicates contraction.