by Calculated Risk on 11/04/2015 10:05:00 AM

The October ISM Non-manufacturing index was at 59.1%, up from 56.9% in September. The employment index increased in October to 59.2%, up from 58.3% in September. Note: Above 50 indicates expansion, below 50 contraction.

From the Institute for Supply Management: October 2015 Non-Manufacturing ISM Report On Business®

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in October for the 69th consecutive month, say the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the latest Non-Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®.

The report was issued today by Anthony Nieves, CPSM, C.P.M., CFPM, chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee. "The NMI® registered 59.1 percent in October, 2.2 percentage points higher than the September reading of 56.9 percent. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at a faster rate. The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index increased to 63 percent, which is 2.8 percentage points higher than the September reading of 60.2 percent, reflecting growth for the 75th consecutive month at a faster rate. The New Orders Index registered 62 percent, 5.3 percentage points higher than the reading of 56.7 percent in September. The Employment Index increased 0.9 percentage point to 59.2 percent from the September reading of 58.3 percent and indicates growth for the 20th consecutive month. The Prices Index increased 0.7 percentage point from the September reading of 48.4 percent to 49.1 percent, indicating prices decreased in October for the second consecutive month. According to the NMI®, 14 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in October. After the slight cooling off in September, the non-manufacturing sector reflected growth across most of the indexes. Respondents remain mostly positive about business conditions and the overall economy."
emphasis added

Click on graph for larger image.

This graph shows the ISM non-manufacturing index (started in January 2008) and the ISM non-manufacturing employment diffusion index.

This was well above the consensus forecast of 56.7% and suggests faster expansion in October than in September.  A strong report.