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 57.2 percent in December, matching the November figure. This represents continued growth in the non-manufacturing sector at the same rate.

The Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index decreased to 61.4 percent, 0.3 percentage point lower than the November reading of 61.7 percent, reflecting growth for the 89th consecutive month, at a slightly slower rate in December. The New Orders Index registered 61.6 percent, 4.6 percentage points higher than the reading of 57 percent in November.

The Employment Index decreased 4.4 percentage points in December to 53.8 percent from the November reading of 58.2 percent. The Prices Index increased 0.7 percentage point from the November reading of 56.3 percent to 57 percent, indicating prices increased in December for the ninth consecutive month at a slightly faster rate. According to the NMI, 12 non-manufacturing industries reported growth in December. The non-manufacturing sector closed out the year strong maintaining its rate of growth month-over-month. Respondents' comments are mostly positive about business conditions and the overall economy."