US non-manufacturing sector continues expansion in Oct

Washington, Nov 4 : Non-manufacturing activity in the US continued faster expansion in October, signaling the economy's robust growth, the Institute for Supply Management said.

The Non-Manufacturing Index (NMI), which measures activity in the US service sector, rose 0.3 percentage point to 60.1 in October, the fastest growth since August 2005, Xinhua news agency quoted the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) as saying in its monthly survey on Friday.

The NMI survey covers all sectors outside of manufacturing. A reading above 50 per cent indicates expansion of the service sector.

The business activity index went up 0.9 point to 62.2; the new orders component of the index, a signal of future business, went down 0.2 point to 62.8; and the employment index also increased 0.7 point to 57.5.

Of the 18 industries tracked by the NMI, 16 industries reported growth, while only educational service and arts and entertainment industries reported contraction.

Respondent comments continue to indicate a positive outlook for business conditions and the economy as entering in the fourth quarter, said the ISM.