The latest report by IHS Markit revealed on Wednesday the seasonally adjusted final IHS Markit U.S. Services Business Activity Index (PMI) stood at 64.7 in April, up from 60.4 in March and higher than the earlier released “flash” estimate of 63.1. The latest reading pointed to the fastest expansion of business activity across the U.S. service sector since data collection began in late-2009.

Economists had forecast the index to stay unrevised at 63.1.

According to the report, firms linked the robust April upturn to stronger client demand and a rise in new sales. Some companies, however, noted that output has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels.