Economic Activity: Markit

Markit: Financial data firm Markit said its services sector purchasing managers index rose to 56.7 from 55.7 in December. A reading above 50 signals expansion in economic activity. , according to Reuters. But the pace of hiring "remains resilient as firms report the brightest business outlook for three years," said Chris Williamson, Markit's chief economist. NEW Growth in the U.S. services sector quickened to a four-month high in January and hiring remained robust, an industry report showed on Wednesday. Service sector employers added to their staffs at the start of the year though at a slightly slower pace than in December. The employment component dipped to 54.1 from 55.2. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.