The ISM Non-Manufacturing Index for May decreased to 50.3% (consensus 52.3%) from 51.9% in April. The dividing line between expansion and contraction is 50.0%, so the May reading reflects continued growth in the services sector, but at a slower pace than the prior month.
The key takeaway from the report is that the majority of respondents indicate business conditions are currently stable, yet concerns relative to the slowing economy have been noted, evidenced in part by the downturn in the employment index into contraction territory after three months of growth.