The manufacturing sector in the United States expanded in December, reversing a decline a month earlier.

The Institute for Supply Management said today its manufacturing index registered 51.4 in December, compared with 49.5 in November, which was the first time the sector’s activity shrank since April 2003. A reading below 50 indicates contraction, while a reading above 50 signals expansion.

December’s index came in above the average analyst expectation for a reading of 50, or no change in the sector’s output.

The U.S. manufacturing sector had grown for 41 consecutive months prior to November, but falling home prices, high energy prices and other factors conspired to reduce industrial activity that month.

The ISM said the sector rebounded last month because of an increase in new orders and a decrease in inflationary pressure that brought down prices.

The ISM report said that employment in the manufacturing sector fell in December but at a slower rate, with a 49.7 reading compared with 49.2 in November.

The new orders index rose substantially to 52.1, compared with 48.7 in November. The production index increased to 51.8, compared with 48.5 in November.