The S&P Global Flash Australia Services PMI Business Activity Index rose to 52.7 in November from 52.5 in October indicating faster expansion in the service sector. The improvement reflected stronger new business inflows supported by better underlying demand although growth in new orders and employment remained moderate as firms struggled to secure suitable candidates. Export demand for services strengthened and helped offset weaker goods export demand allowing overall new export business to record a marginal rise. Business confidence among service providers improved to a five month high as expectations for output growth strengthened with firms noting better market conditions. On the cost side input price inflation rose from October due to higher energy wage and material expenses while selling price inflation also picked up though it remained modest and far below historical norms.