UK Manufacturing- good start to 2012

The Markit Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS), UK manufacturing sector purchasing managers' index for the month of January, rose to  52.1, an early indicator that manufacturing is a little healthier than expected. The general concensus seeing  a small rise from December of 49.8.

However this is just one month but the second consecutive rise and an eight month high, so while this is a little early to get the trumpets out, it is a positive indicator coupled with an increase in export orders.