US Service Sector Regains Speed in December: ISM Survey

US Service Sector Regains Speed in December: ISM Survey
Gloves are seen inside the Brookville Hotel, closed permanently due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in Abilene, Kansas, Oct. 10, 2020. Arin Yoon/Reuters
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WASHINGTON—U.S. services industry activity accelerated in December, but sky-rocketing COVID-19 infections depressed employment, heightening the risk that the economy shed jobs for the first time since the labor market recovery from the pandemic started.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said on Thursday its non-manufacturing activity index increased to a reading of 57.2 last month from 55.9 in November.