U.S. Business Activity Expands in April

Published: 2026-04-23 10:26:29 ET SPGI

Published on 04/23/2026 at 10:26 am EDT

By Jessica Coacci

U.S. business activity in the private sector expanded in April having slowed to near-stagnation in March following the outbreak of the war in the Middle East, a monthly survey said Thursday.

The S&P Global Flash U.S. Composite PMI - based on its surveys of services and manufacturing firms - rose to a three-month high of 52.0 from 50.3 in March. A reading above 50 indicates activity continued to grow.

The manufacturing sector saw output rise at the sharpest rate for four years, fueled by the largest influx of new orders since May 2022.

"A rebound in business output growth in April is good news after the near-stagnation seen in March," said Chris Williamson, chief business economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

"Over the past three months we have seen the weakest expansion of output recorded since the start of 2024 with the war in the Middle East squarely to blame," he said.

Employment rose only marginally in April after falling slightly in March. Input cost inflation accelerated and supply delays worsened, contributing to the largest monthly jump in average selling prices for goods and services since July 2022.

While manufacturing output showed a solid gain, the increase in part reflected stock building in the face of concerns over supply availability and price increases, the survey said.

Write to Jessica Coacci at [email protected]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

04-23-26 1025ET