{
  "id": 18167572,
  "title": "New orders & robust demand lift India's October services growth to 4-month high",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/new-orders-robust-demand-lift-indias-october-services-growth-to-4",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-04T18:48:40.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/indicators/new-orders-robust-demand-lift-indias-october-services-growth-to-4-month-high/articleshow/135549909.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "India's services sector experienced its strongest growth in four months during October, driven by strong domestic demand and an increase in new business orders, according to a private survey. The HSBC India Services Business Activity Index rose to 55.8 in October, up from 55.2 in September and 58.9 a year earlier. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in activity. HSBC India economist Pranjul Bhandari noted that business conditions were improving cautiously. Meanwhile, manufacturing activity slowed, with the PMI dropping to 54.7 from 55.1 in September. The composite PMI, which tracks both manufacturing and services, increased to 56.2 from 55.9 in September, signaling the fastest expansion in four months. Service firms were optimistic about output growth over the next year, but business confidence remained below its long-term average. New business orders were the main driver of higher output, with sales rising at their fastest pace since June, fueled by favorable demand conditions, new client acquisitions, and successful advertising campaigns. All four segments of the service economy showed faster growth in new business and output, with finance and insurance leading the expansion. Input prices rose in October but at their slowest rate in over six years and stayed below the long-term trend. Some businesses reported higher expenses on electricity, labor, raw materials, and transportation. Despite strong overall demand, export order expansion slowed to its lowest pace since February 2023. Input and output prices increased at a slower rate than the previous month, offering some relief from inflation pressures. Cost pressures were most significant in the consumer services segment, which saw a faster increase in input prices compared to September. Only 3% of firms surveyed raised their selling prices at the start of the third quarter, with the overall charge inflation rate being marginal and the slowest since June. Employment growth also decelerated, reaching its slowest pace since June.",
  "summary": "Growth in India's services sector increased to a four-month high in October due to strong domestic demand and business orders. The HSBC Services Business Activity Index rose to 55.8, reflecting improved business conditions. Conversely, manufacturing activity showed a slight decline, easing to a PMI of 54.7. While input prices continued to rise, the rate of increase was the slowest in over six…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/u-s-private-sector-employment-tops-consensus-in-october-adp-jobs",
        "published": "2026-11-04T13:16:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "US private payrolls rise in October, ADP says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/us-private-payrolls-rise-in-october-adp-says",
        "published": "2026-11-04T13:30:43.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nairametrics",
        "title": "Nigeria’s private sector expands for fifth month, PMI rises to 53.2 in October",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/nigerias-private-sector-expands-for-fifth-month-pmi-rises-to-53-2-in",
        "published": "2026-11-04T13:32:08.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Hellenic Shipping News",
        "title": "U.S. private payrolls rise by 86,000 in October, ADP says",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/u-s-private-payrolls-rise-by-86-000-in-october-adp-says-18164534",
        "published": "2026-11-04T18:00:47.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}