U.S. service sector activity accelerated in October, with robust growth in new orders, but employment remained weak. Data from the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) showed that the Non-Manufacturing PMI rose to 52.4 in October from 50.0 in September, indicating solid economic performance at the start of the fourth quarter. However, the service sector employment index increased slightly from 47.2 in September to 48.2, remaining below the expansion-contraction line for five consecutive months. Weak export orders were consistent with manufacturing survey results, reflecting the ongoing impact of trade tensions on the economy. The rebound in orders drove up input costs for service businesses, but the pace of increase was moderate, aligning with the trend of cooling inflation in the service sector.