ISM US December Services Index Posts Stronger-Than-Expected Reading

10:06 AM EST, 01/07/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The Institute for Supply Management's US services index rose to a reading of 54.4 in December from 52.6 in November, compared with expectations for a decrease to a reading of 52.2 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg.

The ISM's reading is contrast with most of regional Federal Reserve bank measures.

There were gains in the readings for production, new orders and employment, but a decline in the prices reading to a still strongly positive level.

The monthly national services reading from the Institute for Supply Management is reported as a headline index, with readings above 50 indicating expansion and those below 50 indicating contraction. Component indexes measure new orders, production, employment, and prices.

An increase in the index further above 50 is considered a sign of a strong US services sector and would be a positive for service-sector stocks. Rising prices would normally be a negative for both stocks and bonds.

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