The U.S. manufacturing sector contracted further in December, as the impact of a stronger U.S. dollar undermined export profitability, while U.S. construction spending fell for the first time in nearly 1-1/2 years in November, suggesting only moderate economic growth in the fourth quarter of 2105. The U.S. Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity fell to 48.2 from 48.6 in November and is now at its lowest level since June 2009. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the manufacturing sector and a reading below 50 indicates contraction.