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mpc: 15 In the United States, the macroeconomic data released over the past month had been a little more mixed than in the euro area, but generally pointed to continued firm growth. Consumption growth appeared to have slowed in the fourth quarter and the first estimate of December non-farm payrolls had been relatively weak. Consumer confidence had rebounded, however, from the lows associated with Hurricane Katrina. Investment indicators remained positive and the Institute for Supply Management reports for the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors pointed to continued healthy growth in the fourth quarter.