SERVICES DROP RAISES CONCERNS

WASHINGTON Growth in the U. S. economy’s vast services sector slowed sharply in September to its lowest point in three years, suggesting that the Trump administration’s trade conflicts and rising uncertainty are weakening the bulk of the economy.

The Institute for Supply Management, an association of purchasing managers, said Thursday that its nonmanufacturing index sank to 52.6 from 56.4 in August. Readings above 50 signal growth, but September’s figures are the lowest since August 2016.

The report renewed worries of an economic slowdown and caused alarm among stock traders. The Dow Jones industrial average fell more than 200 points immediately after the ISM released its report, before recovering.

Long- term mortgage rates steady.

» U. S. long- term mortgage rates held steady this week, offering a potential boon to homebuyers amid an uncertain economic outlook.

Mortgage rates have been running near historic lows, though average rates for the key 30- year loan showed volatile swings.

Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday the average rate on the 30- year, fixed- rate mortgage edged up to 3.65% from 3.64% last week. A year ago, the average rate was 4.71%.

Boris Johnson’s conciliatory tone on Brexit falls flat on EU.

» British Prime Minister Boris Johnson sought Thursday to build a coalition at home to back his new Brexit approach even as key European leaders declared that the measures he just proposed fall far short of the concessions needed to forge a deal.

Johnson offered a strikingly more conciliatory tone Thursday than in his previous tempestuous appearances in the House of Commons, arguing that the changes his government just offered on regulating trade between Ireland and Northern Ireland after Brexit represented a significant compromise. Johnson thinks the concessions should resolve the concerns that prompted British lawmakers to reject the previous Brexit deal three times.