U.S. business activity contracted for a fifth straight month in June, but the pace of decline eased, supporting views that the recession caused by the COVID-19 crisis was drawing to an end.
Data firm IHS Markit said on Tuesday its flash U.S. Composite Output Index, which tracks the manufacturing and services sectors, rose to a reading of 46.8 last month from 37 in May. A reading below 50 indicates contraction in private sector output. The economy slipped into recession in February.The improvement this month came as businesses reopened after shuttering in mid-March to control the spread of the respiratory illness.