TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. service sector expanded for the 45th consecutive month in September, although at a slower pace than August, a business research group said Thursday.
The Institute for Supply Management said the Purchasing Managers Index for non-manufacturing businesses held above the break-even point of 50, but slipped from 58.6 in August to 54.4.
For the 50th consecutive month, both the Business Activity/Production Index and the New Orders Index indicated they were in an expansion, but both also showed a slower pace of growth. The Activity/Production Index slid from 62.2 to 55.1, while the New Orders Index dropped from 60.5 to 59.6.
New export orders rose for the second consecutive month in September with that index climbing from 50.5 to 57.5. Backlogged orders held steady at 50.5, ISM said.
The index measuring the number of employees dropped from 57 to 52.7.
