Singapore's PMI slips to below 50 in December

 The Purchasing Managers' Index for Singapore's manufacturing sector came in at 49.6 for December, the lowest reading since February 2013, local media reported on Tuesday.
It represents a drop of almost two points from the reading of 51.8 points in November. The drop was largely due to a contraction in new orders and slower growth in export orders, according to the latest index.
A reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding, while a reading below 50 suggests contraction.
Meanwhile, the corresponding index for the electronics sector posted its 23rd straight month of expansion, coming in at 50.5, though it was a marginal dip from the previous month's reading of 50.6