Services Sectors Edges Higher in August

Washington, DC, Sept. 7, 2012 -- Service sector growth in the U.S. edged up in August with a rebound in employment, according to  the Institute for Supply Management.

The ISM non-manufacturing index rose to 53.7%, slightly ahead of analysts’ expectations of 53%, from a reading of 52.6% in July.

ISM’s employment index rose 4.5 points to 53.8% from 49.3% in July. The business activity/production index fell 1.6 points, dropping to 55.6% from 57.2%.