Business activity in Australia’s private sector returned to growth in September, owing to a renewed expansion in the service sector. Greater client interest pushed up overall new orders, while employment levels also rose. While the rate of input cost inflation remained unchanged in September, firms raised their selling prices at a slower rate amid reduced optimism on future output. The Judo Bank Flash Australia Composite PMI® Output Index* posted 50.2 in September, up from 48.0 in August. Climbing above the 50.0 no-change mark, the latest data indicated a return to expansion for Australia’s private sector. Although ... (full story)