6 Oct 2009

US services industry expands

12:00 pm on 6 October 2009

The services industry in the United States has expanded for the first time in more than a year.

The Institute of Supply Management says the sector, which accounts for 80% of the US economy, rose to 50.9 in September.

The institute also says employment in the sector contracted at a slower pace than in August.

Many analysts say the US economy is now recovering, but there are mixed signals about the strength of the upturn.