US growth has accelerated also in February also in the US services sector according to ISM. The services PMI is showing warming growth conditions in the biggest sector in America. A score of 57.6 means sound and solid growth. The headline figure is at the highest level since August 2015, a year and a half ago.

The closely followed New Orders component is up from 58.6 to 61.2 points. Prices paid actually slipped to 57.7 and the employment component advanced, but only just: from 54.7 to 55.2.

The dollar is slightly stronger. Here is how things look on the USD/JPY chart. The pair is drifting higher within the recent higher range.

The ISM Non-Manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) was projected to remain unchanged at 56.5 points in February. The score, well above the 50 point threshold, reflects robust growth in the services sector.

Earlier this week, the ISM Manufacturing PMI beat expectations and reached a high of 57.7 points. Markit’s final services PMI printed 53.8 points, a 0.1 slide from 53.9 originally reported.

The US dollar consolidated its gains ahead of the publication. These stemmed from the upbeat comments from various Fed officials. Various known doves such as Dudley and Brainard released heavy hints about a rate hike on March 15th.

The exceptions was the euro: good opinion polls from France gave a boost to the common currency.