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US Service Sector Picks Up, Helped by Solid Holiday Sales
Published:
Thursday, 5 Jan 2012 | 10:16 AM ET
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By: AP
The U.S. service sector, which employ 90 percent of the workforce, expanded at a faster pace in December, helped by solid holiday sales and an economy that picked up strength in the final months of the year.
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The trade group of purchasing managers surveys a range of businesses, including restaurants, hotels, retailers, financial service firms and construction companies.
The service sector has grown for two straight years. But activity had slowed for a third straight month in November, dropping to the lowest reading since January 2010.
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Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes
