Global Manufacturing Recorded a Sluggish Start to 2007, as Production Expanded at Its Least Marked Pace Since Mid-2003.

The global manufacturing economy lost noticeable momentum at the start of 2007. At 52.4 in January, the JPMorgan Global Manufacturing PMI remained above the no-change mark of 50.0 for a forty-third consecutive month, but fell to its lowest level since August 2005. Production growth slowed to a three-and-a-half year low.