Germany Markit Manufacturing PMI above forecasts (53) in December: Actual (53.2)

It is common knowledge that Iran and Saudi Arabia are the primarily followers of the Shiite and Sunni sects in the middle-east region. When Saudi Arabia executed Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shiite cleric on Saturday they further stoked fears of another crisis in the already disturbed and war torn region. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned "divine revenge" awaits the Sunni Muslim kingdom as the act has angered Shia Muslims elsewhere in the Middle East.