MADRID, July 3 (Reuters) - Spain's services sector expanded at its strongest pace this year in June as activity and new business rebounded on stronger domestic demand, a business survey showed on

MADRID, July 3 (Reuters) - Spain's services sector expanded at its strongest pace this year in June as activity and new business rebounded on stronger domestic demand, a business survey showed on

U.S. business activity nearly stalled in February amid mounting fears over tariffs on imports and deep cuts in federal government spending, erasing all the gains notched in the aftermath of President ...

* Prior was 50.1 * Business activity 55.0 vs 53.0 expected * Prior business activity 52.6 * New orders 56.0 vs 50.3 prior * Employment 46.5 vs 46.4 prior * Prices 69.2 vs 69.9 prior The pickup in new orders is encouraging and runs counter to the poor reading on that metric in the S&P Global survey. The poor number is on employment, which is skidding along the recent bottoms. This article was written by Adam Button at investinglive.com.

* Prior 51.8 * Manufacturing PMI 47.3 vs 48.3 expected * Prior 48.0 * Composite PMI 53.0 vs 51.6 expected * Prior 51.5 Key Findings: * Strongest rise in UK private sector business activity since August 2024 Comment: Chris Williamson, Chief Business Economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence: “The flash UK PMI survey for August indicated that the pace of economic growth has continued to accelerate over the summer after a sluggish spring, the rate of expansion now at a one-year high. The services sector has led the expansion, but manufacturing also showed further signs of stabilising. "It’s evident from survey measures of order books, however, that the demand environment remains both uneven and fragile. Companies report concerns over the impact of recent government policy changes, as well as unease emanating from broader geopolitical uncertainty. Goods exports are still falling especially sharply. "Payroll numbers also continue to be cut at an aggressive rate by historical standards as firms cite weak order books and concerns over rising staff costs due to the policies announced in the autumn Budget, which also contributed to persistent inflation pressures. "While the rise in business activity signalled by the PMI alongside the uplift in inflation to 3.8% in July lower the chances of further rate cuts this year, more data are required to assess both the sustainability of robust economic growth as well as the stickiness of the upturn in price pressures. Among a divided Bank of England rate setting committee, the perceived need for any future rate cuts will be very much data dependent." This article was written by Giuseppe Dellamotta at investinglive.com.

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SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australian business activity stalled in May as consumers kept their wallets shut despite a cut in interest rates during the month, a survey showed on Tuesday, while firms reported increased pressure on profit margins. National Australia Bank (OTC:NABZY)’s survey showed its index of business conditions edged down 2 points to 0 in May, well below the long-run average of around +6. Its confidence index inched up 3 points to +2, though that remained soft historically. "By industry, the persistent weakness in retail business conditions and confidence aligns with the softer-than-expected pick-up in consumption over Q1," NAB chief economist Sally Auld said. "Our measures of profitability and trading conditions are notably weaker in retail than other industries." Consumers have remained reluctant to spend despite rate cuts in May and February, and a slowdown in inflation. Markets are wagering the Reserve Bank of Australia will ease again in July given the economy disappointed in the first quarter. The NAB survey showed its sales index dipped a point to +5 in May, while employment dropped 4 points to 0. Profitability stayed weak at -4, with labour and purchase costs squeezing margins. "We will watch whether there is a more sustained softening in labour demand, with the employment index easing to below average levels," Auld said. The labour market has been resilient in the face of sluggish economic growth, with unemployment holding around 4.1% for most of the past year.