U.S. Nonmanufacturing Growth Hit Record in September

ISM index rose to 61.6 last month, with business activity, orders and employment picking up rapidly

WASHINGTON—Growth across U.S. service industries accelerated in September to its highest reading on record, clocking another month of robust growth for the gauge.

The Institute for Supply Management on Wednesday said its nonmanufacturing index rose to 61.6 in September. A reading above 50 indicates activity is expanding across service and other industries, while a number below 50 signals contraction. Economists surveyed by The Wall Street Journal had expected a 58 reading for September.

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