Latest data released by Markit - 2 January 2019

  • Prior 53.1; revised to 53.6

A decent beat here as the new orders sub-index hit its highest level since February. Markit notes that this is helped by stockpiling ahead of a potentially disruptive Brexit (not a permanent or lasting boost factor).

The pound isn't generating much buzz from the release here with GBP/USD moving from 1.2705 to 1.2713 currently. As mentioned before, economic data at this juncture is very much secondary. It's still all about the Brexit rhetoric for the pound now.