Nov 4 (Reuters) - Spain's services sector saw strong growth in October, though the expansion was slower than in each of the previous three months as new business growth cooled and export sales fell, a business survey showed on Wednesday.
• The S&P Global Spain Services PMI Business Activity Index fell to 57.2 in October from 58.3 in September. The 50 mark separates growth from contraction
• "Spain's services economy continued to expand at an above-average rate during October and was therefore indicative of a positive start to the final quarter of the year in terms of economic growth," said Paul Smith, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence
• Business confidence strengthened to its highest level since February, with firms citing previous investment plans and hopes that the upcoming general election on November 29 may bring positive change
• New business volumes increased again but growth eased to a five-month low. New export business contracted for a second straight month
• Employment rose again, extending a run of job creation to more than four years. The pace of hiring was the strongest since July
• Input price inflation accelerated to its highest level since March, as companies reported higher energy, fuel and transport expenses. Output price inflation, however, eased from September's five-month high
• The sister manufacturing sector index, released on Monday, expanded in October at its fastest pace since August 2025
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Joe Bavier)