NEW DELHI, Nov. 6 -- India's services sector lost momentum in October, easing to a five-month low after hitting a 15-year peak in August, as growth in new business and output slowed amid softer export demand and rising global competition, a private survey showed on Thursday.

The HSBC India Services Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, fell to 58.9 in October from 60.9 in September and 62.9 in August, marking its weakest pace since May. The index, however, has remained above the 50-point threshold separating expansion from contraction for over four years - signalling the sector's sustained resilience despite headwinds.

While growth moderated, input costs and selling prices rose at a more measured pace, and firms stay...