The latest report by IHS Markit revealed on Friday the seasonally adjusted final IHS Markit U.S. Services Business Activity Index (PMI) stood at 50.9 in May, down from 53.0 in April, but was in line with the earlier released “flash” figure.

The reading signaled the slowest business activity expansion across the U.S. service sector since the current period of growth began in February 2016.

Economists had forecast the index to stay unrevised at 50.9.

According to the report, new orders received by service providers increased at the softest pace since March 2016, and business confidence fell to its lowest level since June 2016. Meanwhile, the job creation rate accelerated. On the price front, input prices increased at a softer and only marginal pace in May, while the rise in cost burdens was the slowest since September 2016.