U.S. April ISM Services Index Slips to 53.6, Below Estimate

The Institute for Supply Management services gauge came in at 53.6 for April, slightly under the 53.7 estimate and down from 54.0 in the previous reading.

Summary

The U.S. April ISM Services Index, published by the Institute for Supply Management (U.S. purchasing managers survey group), fell to 53.6. That was slightly below the market estimate of 53.7 and lower than the previous 54.0 reading. A reading above 50 generally indicates expansion in the services sector, so the latest figure still points to continued growth, but at a marginally slower pace than the prior month.

Terms & Concepts
  • ISM Services Index: A monthly business activity indicator based on surveys of purchasing managers in the U.S. services sector; readings above 50 suggest expansion.
  • Consensus estimate: The average forecast from economists or market participants used as a benchmark for comparing released economic data.