**[U.S. November Services Sector Growth Hits Nine-Month High, Payment Price Index Drops to Over Six-Month Low]** Reported by Golden Finance, the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) announced on Wednesday that the U.S. services sector index rose slightly by 0.2 to a nine-month high of 52.6. A reading above 50 indicates the sector is in expansion. The ISM services and materials payment price index showed the slowest growth rate in seven months. Although still at historically high levels, this figure suggests inflationary pressures have eased. The overall services sector index was supported by extended supplier delivery times and further improvement in business activity. The supplier delivery index rose by 3.3 points to its highest level in over a year. This increase may reflect challenges businesses face in sourcing products amid a complex trade environment with tariff issues. The business activity index climbed to a three-month high of 54.5. Meanwhile, order growth slowed from a one-year high. Employment in the services sector showed further signs of stabilization. The employment index rose to a six-month high of 48.9, indicating a slower pace of employment decline. According to an ISM indicator, inventories expanded at the fastest pace in seven months. Nonetheless, the inventory sentiment index eased, suggesting fewer service providers believe their inventory levels are too high.