The U.S. services sector showed fresh momentum in late summer, with the ISM Non-Manufacturing Business Activity index rising to 61.7 in August 2026 from 59.1 in July 2026. The latest reading, updated on 3 September 2026, signals a faster pace of expansion in the vast non-manufacturing side of the economy, which includes industries such as finance, retail, healthcare, and hospitality.
The move above July’s level suggests that underlying demand for services remained robust through August, even as markets continue to parse the broader outlook for U.S. growth. With the index holding solidly above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, the data point to a resilient services landscape that continues to underpin overall economic activity.
Investors and analysts will be watching upcoming releases to see whether this acceleration in business activity is sustained into the autumn, and how it may influence expectations for corporate earnings and the broader economic trajectory in the United States.
