ISM non-manufacturing index rises to 53.1% in March

              

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch)
Growth picked up last month for the U.S. service sector and other non-manufacturing companies, according to data released
The Institute for Supply Management said its non-manufacturing index rose to 53.1% last month from 51.6% in February
Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected a March reading of 53.3%
Readings over 50% signal expansion -- the higher the reading, the faster the expansion
ISM said the non-manufacturing employment gauge shot higher, rising 6.1 points to 53.6% in March Meanwhile, the new-orders barometer rose 2.1 points to 53.4%
Among 18 industries tracked by ISM, 13 reported growth last month, while five contracted