WASHINGTON (AP) – U.S. services firms grew again last month – but at the slowest pace since May.
The Institute for Supply Management reported Thursday that its services index slid to 55.9 last month from 59.1 in October. The November reading was the lowest since May’s 55.7. Still, any reading above 50 signals that services firms are expanding.
The survey registered slower growth last month for business activity, new orders and employment in the services sector.
The ISM is a trade group of purchasing managers. The ISM services survey covers businesses that employ the vast majority of workers, including retail, construction, health care and financial services companies.
The group reported Monday that U.S. factory activity plummeted last month to the lowest level in more than six years. American manufacturers have been hurt by weak growth overseas and a strong dollar, which makes their products more expensive in foreign markets.