The Spanish service sector returned to expansion during September. However, with new business volumes broadly stagnant, activity rose only slightly. Firms instead maintained a focus on clearing work outstanding, which was supported in part by higher employment. Input cost inflation remained elevated, pushing up to its highest level since May. This led to another rise in output charges. Confidence in the future was again positive, though did drop to its lowest level for nine months. The headline HCOB Spain Services PMI® Business Activity Index recorded 50.5 in September. That was up from 49.3 during August and marked ... (full story)