November data pointed to another solid increase in U.S. private sector output, supported by sustained growth in both manufacturing and services activity. At 54.6, the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index was above the 50.0 no-change threshold, but eased from 55.2 in October. As a result, the latest reading signalled the slowest expansion of private sector output since July.

Despite a softer upturn in business activity, survey respondents indicated a robust and accelerated rise in new order volumes during November. The rate of new business expansion was also comfortably above the average seen in the first half of 2017.