US ISM services PMI hits 54.1 in July, marking 24 straight months of expansion

The US services economy refused to blink in July. The Institute for Supply Management reported its Services PMI at 54.1, a marginal uptick from June’s 54.0 but slightly below the consensus estimate of roughly 54.2 to 54.5.

Anything above 50 signals expansion, and the services sector, which accounts for nearly 90% of the US economy, has now been in growth territory for 24 consecutive months.

What the numbers actually tell us

Steve Miller, chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee, pointed to a meaningful shift in sentiment underneath the headline number.

“Tariff impacts and the Middle East conflict continued to be mentioned by respondents, but much less frequently than in prior reports. The World Cup was again cited… Overall, the U.S. services economy continues to be resilient.”