The Institute for Supply Management's Non-Manufacturing index dipped slightly in March to 56.5%, down 40 basis points from the prior month.
The ISM says a reading above 50% indicates the non-manufacturing sector economy is generally expanding, while a reading below 50 percent indicates the sector is generally contracting.
It was the 62nd consecutive month in which the index reflected growth in the services industry.
The average for the past 12 months was 57.1%, with a high of 58.8% in November.
