Analysts had expected a reading of 55.4 points.

December’s result of 55 points marked the index’s highest reading in almost three years and pointed to an expected further improvement in Polish industry, Markit said at the time.

A neutral PMI rating of 50 points means that businesspeople in the country feel that trends in industry will not change over the coming month.

A higher rating means that trends are expected to improve, while a PMI rating below 50 points indicates that many think they will deteriorate.