MW: Services side of U.S. economy expands in September
By Ruth Mantell
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Economic activity in the nonmanufacturing sectors of the U.S. economy expanded slightly in September, the Institute for Supply Management reported Friday. The ISM nonmanufacturing index hit 50.2% in September, compared with from 50.6% in August. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch were looking for a result of 49.9%. Readings over 50% indicate more firms were growing than contracting. The new-orders index rose to 50.8% from 49.7%. Meanwhile, the employment index declined to 44.2% from 45.4%. The production index rose to 52.1% from 51.6%.
