ISM US March Services Index Declines More Than Expected, Indicates Slower Expansion

10:08 AM EDT, 04/06/2026 (MT Newswires) -- The Institute for Supply Management's US services index fell to a reading of 54.0 in March from 56.1 in February, compared with expectations for a smaller decrease to a reading of 54.9 in a survey compiled by Bloomberg as of 7:35 am ET.

The index indicates a slower pace of expansion. The other regional services data already released suggested mixed readings.

There were declines in the readings for production, employment and order backlogs, but gains in the readings for new orders and prices.

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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