by Calculated Risk on 9/04/2008 10:06:00 AM

"Respondents' comments remain mixed about business conditions and reflect concern about the uncertainty of the economy."
Anthony Nieves, ISM Vice President

From the Institute for Supply Management (ISM):

Economic activity in the non-manufacturing sector grew in August, say the nation's purchasing and supply executives ...

The index increased 1.1 percentage points in August to 50.6 percent. Anything above 50 indicates expansion. So this report suggests modest expansion in the service sector in August after two months of contraction.

The employment index declined to 45.4.