Confidence improves as U.S. business activity hits 20-month high

Confidence among U.S. businesses is steadily improving. U.S. business activity increased to a 20-month high in October, but, amid the lingering COVID-19 shutdown restrictions, the pace of new business growth and new orders eased slightly alongside caution ahead of U.S. Election Day on November 3rd.
Reuters:Data firm IHS Markit said on Friday its flash U.S. Composite PMI Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, rose to a reading of 55.5 this month. That was the highest s