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ISM Non-Manufacturing PMI: 56 – Strong Number, Above Expectations

The purchasing managers’ index for the non-manufacturing (services) sector stands on 56 in February, according to ISM. Early expectations stood on a minor slide from 55.2 to 55, well within growth territory. Also the employment component remained very strong: it slid from 57.5 to 57.2, not a significant change.

The important new orders sub component jumped from 54.4 to 58.2 points and provides hope for the future. A figure above 50 represents growth, while a number under 50 represents contraction.  The services sector is by far the largest in the US, and this indicator, especially its employment component, provides an important hint towards the Non-Farm Payrolls. EUR/USD is ticking lower after the publication.

All in all, this is a great report.  

Last week, the manufacturing PMI headline was good, but the employment component wasn’t too exciting: while remaining in growth territory, it was lower than in January.

EUR/USD traded higher, around 1.3050, escaping the 1.30 it battled with earlier in the week. GBP/USD also rose, enjoying a better than expected services PMI.

Further reading:  A moment of “risk on”

Yohay Elam

Yohay Elam

Yohay Elam: Founder, Writer and Editor I have been into forex trading for over 5 years, and I share the experience that I have and the knowledge that I've accumulated. After taking a short course about forex. Like many forex traders, I've earned a significant share of my knowledge the hard way. Macroeconomics, the impact of news on the ever-moving currency markets and trading psychology have always fascinated me. Before founding Forex Crunch, I've worked as a programmer in various hi-tech companies. I have a B. Sc. in Computer Science from Ben Gurion University. Given this background, forex software has a relatively bigger share in the posts.