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US Services Activity Cools in March as Costs Rise

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US 07 Apr 2026 10:34 AM IST Economic Times

 US services activity slowed in March, pointing to softer momentum in one of the economy’s biggest sectors. The Institute for Supply Management’s services PMI fell to 54.0 from 56.1 in February, showing growth continued but at a slower pace. New orders stayed strong, but business activity eased and employment slipped into contraction. Businesses also faced rising input costs, especially for oil, fuel, lumber, copper and steel, while supply chain concerns grew amid Middle East tensions and shipping disruptions. The latest survey suggests the US services sector remains resilient, but inflation pressure and logistics challenges are starting to weigh on confidence and operations. For businesses and investors, the report highlights a clear trend: growth is still intact, but the road ahead looks more uncertain and more expensive.