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Services sector contracts in January

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— For the first time in almost five years, the nation's services sector — including restaurants, travel, banking, construction and retail — contracted in January, stoking recession worries.

The Institute for Supply Management reported today that its index of service sector business activity declined to 44.6 in January from a revised reading of 54.4 in December. Economists surveyed by Thomson Financial/IFR had expected a slowdown but had still forecast growth.

A reading above 50 indicates expansion, while below 50 indicates contraction. It was the first time the service sector has contracted since March 2003.