06.01.2014 16:06:36

U.S. Non-Manufacturing Index Shows Unexpected Decrease In December

(RTTNews) - Activity in the U.S. service sector unexpectedly grew at a slower rate in the month of December, according to a report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Monday.

The ISM said its non-manufacturing index edged down to 53.0 in December from 53.9 in November, although a reading above 50 still indicates growth in the service sector.

The modest decrease came as a surprise to economists, who had been expecting the index to creep up to a reading of 54.8.