US businesses signalled a broad stagnation in output at the end of the third quarter as manufacturers and service providers alike indicated muted demand conditions. September data indicated the worst performance across the private sector since February, as the service economy lost further momentum. New orders fell at the strongest pace this year so far as demand for services slipped further into contractionary territory. Manufacturers also saw a drop in new sales, albeit at a slightly softer pace. Cost pressures ticked higher again, as input prices rose at a marked pace. Nonetheless, the rate of cost inflation was ... (full story)