The Spanish service sector continued its recent run of expansion during December, with both activity and new business rising markedly again. However, compared to November, rates of growth were noticeably lower as the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 weighed on public confidence and demand. Optimism amongst service providers about the future subsequently also slipped, dropping to its lowest since the start of the year. December’s seasonally adjusted Business Activity Index, which is based on a single question asking firms to comment on developments in their activity since the previous month, posted above ... (full story)