US Midwest business growth less than earlier thought

NEW YORK Dec 31 (Reuters) - Business activity in the U.S. Midwest expanded less robustly than originally thought this month, an industry association reported on Thursday, and the sector's employment recovery failed to reach expansionary territory.

The Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said in revisions to its business barometer index readings that December's result was 58.7, instead of the reading of 60.0 it reported on Wednesday. Any reading above 50 indicates expansion.

Detailing revisions based on seasonal factors, the ISM-Chicago said its employment index was 47.6 in December, below the expansionary result of 51.2 reported on Wednesday for this month. (Reporting by Burton Frierson; Editing by Dan Grebler)