In a significant development for the United States economy, the ISM Non-Manufacturing Business Activity Index climbed to 56.0 in December 2025, reflecting an acceleration in the services sector. This rise follows the previous November figure, which held steady at 54.5, illustrating a noteworthy improvement in business conditions within the non-manufacturing industries.
The increase in the index suggests a stronger expansion in the service sector, indicating broad-based growth in areas such as retail, health care, finance, and other service-oriented industries. Analysts view this positive trend as an encouraging sign of economic resilience, especially as the service sector accounts for a substantial portion of U.S. economic activity.
The updated data, released on January 7, 2026, reinforces optimism about the economic outlook for the early months of the year. As the service sector continues to perform robustly, it may help bolster overall economic growth in the country as businesses navigate broader economic challenges and prepare for the coming year. Whether this trend will persist remains to be seen, but the current figures offer a hopeful snapshot at the close of 2025.
