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ECONOMIC REPORT: U.S. service sector slows sharply in Sept.; ISM services index falls to 53.3%, lowest since April 2003
By Greg Robb, MarketWatch
Last Update: 10:18 AM ET Oct. 5, 2005

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - There was a broad-based moderation in the service sector economy in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Institute for Supply Management reported Wednesday.

The ISM nonmanufacturing index fell to 53.3% from 65.0% in August. This is the sharpest one-month decline since shortly after 9/11, said Ralph Kauffman, chair of the ISM non-manufacturing survey committee.

This is the lowest level since April 2003.

The drop was sharper than expected. Economists polled by Marketwatch expected the index to slip to 60.3 percent.

Despite the decline, the index is still above 50% for the 30th straight month. Readings over 50% in the diffusion index indicate expansion in these sectors.

Only eight of 17 industries grew in September, compared with 13 in August.

New orders fell to 56.6% in September from 65.8% in August.

The employment index fell to 54.9% from 59.6%.

The prices paid index rose to a record 81.4% in September from 67.1% in the previous month.

10:05am 10/05/05 U.S. AUG. PENDING HOME SALES UP 3.2% TO RECORD 129.5

10:01am 10/05/05 U.S. SEPT. ISM SERVICES NEW ORDERS 56.6% VS 65.8% IN AUG
10:01am 10/05/05 U.S. SEPT. ISM SERVICES PRICES 81.4% VS 67.1% IN AUG.
10:00am 10/05/05 U.S. SEPT. ISM SERVICES BELOW CONSENSUS 60.3%
10:00am 10/05/05 U.S. SEPT. ISM SERVICES 53.3% VS 65.0% IN AUG

10:00am 10/05/05 U.S. Q3 LAYOFFS DOWN 2.5% Y-O-Y TO 245,378: CHALLENGER
10:00am 10/05/05 U.S. SEPT. LAYOFFS UP 1.8% TO 71,836: CHALLENGER

ECONOMIC REPORT: Corporate layoffs steady in Sept.; Challenger: Job reductions up 1.8% to 71,836
By Rex Nutting, MarketWatch
Last Update: 10:07 AM ET Oct. 5, 2005

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- Planned job reductions by major U.S. corporations rose 1.8% in September to 71,836, according to a monthly tally released Wednesday by outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Layoffs were down 33% from September 2004.

In the third quarter, layoffs fell 2.5% from the third quarter of 2004 to 245,3478, the smallest number of layoffs in five quarters.

The transportation and retail sectors accounted for more than a third of September reductions.

For all of 2005, layoffs are up 8.2% year-to-date, with the auto industry, airlines and retailers accounting for about a third of planned reductions.

The Challenger data cover only a small portion of job losses in the United States each month. Layoffs at small companies are not included.

The layoffs can be accomplished immediately or over time. Some jobs are cut through voluntary means, such as quitting or retirements.