US business activity growth accelerated in October to the second-fastest so far this year, according to early ‘flash’ PMI data, accompanied by the largest rise in new business seen in 2025 to date. Improvements in output and new work were recorded in manufacturing and services, though both sectors signaled falling exports. Factories also reported falling input buying amid a steep drop in backlogs of work and an unprecedented build-up of unsold stock. Meanwhile, while employment growth picked up, the pace of job creation remained only modest, and weakened especially in manufacturing. Jobs growth was also limited by a ... (full story)