SINGAPORE, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Purchasing Managers' Index for Singapore's manufacturing sector came in at 49.6 for December, the lowest reading since February 2013, local media reported on Tuesday.

It represents a drop of almost two points from the reading of 51.8 points in November. The drop was largely due to a contraction in new orders and slower growth in export orders, according to the latest index.

A reading above 50 indicates that the manufacturing sector is generally expanding, while a reading below 50 suggests contraction.

Meanwhile, the corresponding index for the electronics sector posted its 23rd straight month of expansion, coming in at 50.5, though it was a marginal dip from the previous month's reading of 50.6.