The huge service side of the U.S. economy grew rapidly in April as states lifted business restrictions, companies hired more workers and consumers spent their stimulus checks.
A survey of service-oriented businesses such as retailers, restaurants and health-care providers slipped to 62.7% last month from a record 63.7% in March, the Institute for Supply Management said Wednesday.
The ISM survey fell a bit short of Wall Street expectations. Economists polled by Dow Jones and The Wall Street Journal had forecast the index to edge up to 64.1%.
