US: Markit Services PMI edges down to 54.5, lowest reading since April

"Service sector firms experienced another robust rise in business activity during August, but the rate of expansion eased to a four-month low," IHS Markit said on Thursday.

Key highlights from the press release

• This was signalled by a decline in the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit Flash U.S. Services PMI Business Activity Index to 55.2 in August, from 56.0 in July. 
• New business volumes increased at the slowest pace seen so far in 2018.
• Service providers signalled the least marked rise in payroll numbers for eight months. 
• Input cost inflation moderated in August and was below the average seen during the first half of 2018.