Nonmanufacturing services expand

Educational services, farms, utilities, stores and hospitals all saw their businesses expand in September, thanks to strong exports and deliveries, a private research group’s survey showed Friday.

The reading of 50.2 from the Institute for Supply Management was down from 50.6 in August, but a reading above 50 signals growth.

It beat economists’ prediction of a reading of 50.0, according to the consensus estimate of Wall Street economists surveyed by Thomson/IFR.

Monday’s manufacturing report by the same organization showed the worst reading since October 2001 -- after the Sept. 11 attacks. Economists called it a sign of recession.

According to the services report, which is based on a survey of the institute’s members, educational services, agriculture, utilities, retail and healthcare are growing while restaurants, real estate and wholesale are contracting.