Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in September for the 116th consecutive month, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., A.P.P., CFPM, Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee: "The NMI® registered 52.6 percent, which is 3.8 percentage points below the August reading of 56.4 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector, at a slower rate. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index ... (full story)

The services sector continued its expansion in September but at a considerably slower pace than expected, according to the ISM Non-Manufacturing Index released Thursday. The closely watch measure came in at 52.6, compared to an expected reading of 55.3 from economists surveyed by Dow Jones. Markets sold off sharply following the news, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down more than 200 points after being only slightly lower earlier on. Anything above 50 represents growth in the survey, which gauges the percentage of companies expecting to expand their businesses. A reading above 48.6 has been consistent with ... (full story)