At 58.6 in March, up from 57.1 in February, the seasonally adjusted Markit Flash U.S. Services PMI™ Business Activity Index–which is based on approximately 85% of usual monthly replies–signalled a robust and accelerated expansion of service sector output. Moreover, the latest index reading was well above the survey average (55.8) and pointed to the sharpest increase in business activity since September 2014. Survey respondents noted that improving economic conditions, stronger consumer confidence and the launch of new products all helped to boost activity levels in March. March data indicated a strong and accelerated ... (full story)