The US services PMI index compiled by Markit jumped to 63.1 points in April, compared to the 61.5 expected by the consensus and a strong acceleration compared to the previous 60.4 points. This is what emerges from the preliminary reading of the data, which touched the all-time record.
The index confirms the strong expansion of the services sector, the one most penalized by the economic crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The value of the data is in fact well above the threshold of 50 points, the dividing line between the phase of contraction (values below) and expansion (values above).
The PMI manufacturing index also performed well, rising from the previous 59.1 points to 60.6 points, less than the expected 61 points but at its all-time high. Finally, a record for the Composite SME, which stood at 62.2 points from 59.7 points in March.