Germany's service sector enjoyed a strong start to the fourth quarter, seeing business activity rise at the quickest rate for almost two-and-a-half years, according to the latest HCOB PMI® survey data. The upturn was supported by a notable increase in new business and contributed to a first rise in employment in the sector for three months. Service providers continued to look to the future with optimism, although expectations ticked down slightly from September's recent high. October's survey results meanwhile showed a pick-up in inflationary pressures across the services economy. Average prices charged rose at the ... (full story)