Russia's manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilisation in January, with the pace of contraction in output and new orders easing, although a recent increase in value-added tax (VAT) drove inflationary pressures higher, S&P Global said on Monday. The S&P Global Russia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 49.4 in January from 48.1 in December, indicating a marginal decline in manufacturing health but marking the weakest downturn in the current eight-month sequence. A PMI reading below 50.0 indicates contraction, while above 50.0 signals growth.