Associated Press (04/03/14)
An increase in new orders and hiring has led to growth of U.S. service firms as the sector and economy bounce back from an unusually cold winter. The Institute for Supply Management’s service-sector index rose to 53.1 in March from 51.6 in February. A reading above 50 signals expansion. The hiring measure increased 6.1 points to 53.4, and the new orders measure rose 2.1 points to 53.4.