Employment growth slowed and backlogs continued to build, with the PMI Composite index falling from 54.5 to 53.6.
That said, the rate of job creation slipped to a modest pace that was the softest seen in the current three-month period of payroll growth, while backlogs of work continued to rise.
The rate of accumulation was similar to that seen in the prior month, however, and only mild.
On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated to a 12-month, due to higher staffing costs, alongside greater prices for raw materials and office supplies.
Meantime, output cost inflation rose only slightly as firms south to boost competitiveness and attract sales.
Finally, business sentiment deteriorated to a four-month low.
