US firms signalled a slower rise in output during August, as activity teetered near stagnation across the private sector. Manufacturers dipped back into contraction as production fell again, while service providers saw growth slow to the weakest since February. Subdued client demand drove the slowdown across the economy, as total new orders declined for the first time in six months. Contractions in new orders were seen at manufacturers and service providers alike. Meanwhile, cost pressures regained some momentum as the rate of input price inflation quickened on the back of greater fuel, wage and raw material costs. ... (full story)