October saw an uptick in U.S. services activity, marking the strongest expansion in eight months even as hiring remained sluggish amid tariff pressures and the ongoing government shutdown. The Institute for Supply Management’s index rose to 52.4, reflecting solid demand in sectors like retail and transportation. Economists noted that while new orders surged, weak employment and rising input costs suggest a mixed outlook for the broader economy heading into the fourth quarter.
See "US services activity hits eight-month high; employment remains weak", Lucia Mutikani, Reuters, November 5, 2025