June data indicated that U.S. private sector firms experienced a strong end to the second quarter of 2018, driven by another robust contribution from service providers. In contrast, manufacturing production growth slowed for the second month running, to its weakest since September 2017.

The latest survey also revealed intense pressure on manufacturing supply chains, with delivery times for inputs lengthening to the greatest extent since the index began in May 2007. Adjusted for seasonal influences, the IHS Markit Flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index registered 56.0 in June, down only slightly from a 37-month peak in May (index at 56.6). As a result, the latest reading signalled that private sector output continued to expand at one of the fastest rates seen over the past three years.