By Greg Robb
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The service sectors of the U.S. economy expanded for the first time in a year in September, the Institute for Supply Management reported Monday. The ISM non-manufacturing index rose to 50.9% from 48.4% in August. This is the highest level since May 2008. The increase was larger than expected. Economists were looking the index to rise to 50.0%. The closely-watched employment index rose to 44.3% in September from 43.5 in August. The services sector has been improving slowly since it hit 37.4% last Novemmber.
