Although service sector business activity continued to rise in the first month of 2020, the rate of growth eased to the softest since last April. The result was driven by a slower expansion in new business. Meanwhile, firms increased their staff numbers, but were unable to alleviate backlogs of work. On the price front, cost burdens rose sharply, with the rate of inflation the fastest for eight months. Consequently, average output prices increased at a quicker pace. The headline seasonally adjusted IHS Markit France Services Business Activity Index – which is based on a single question asking respondents to report on ... (full story)