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October 5, 2005 11:30 AM, EDT

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n index that measures U.S. services fell in September, the Institute for Supply Management reported Wednesday.

ISM’s services index fell to 53.3 from 65 in August, the group said in its monthly report. ISM figures of more than 50 indicate expansion and the August figure had been the fastest in 16 months.

Economists were forecasting a reading of 60, Bloomberg reported.

The services sector includes transportation, retail sales and financial services. The sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of the U.S. gross domestic product.

The new orders index fell to 56.6 from 65.8 in August, ISM said.

Export orders fell to 55 from 63.5 and the service prices index jumped to 81.4 from 67.1, ISM said.