ISM Services Surprises to the Upside

Today's release of the ISM Services report for September came in better than expected (55.1 vs 53.1) for the third straight month.  Today's report was also the highest reading since March.  Looking at a combined ISM, which includes both the Manufacturing and Services reports and weights them according to their share of the US economy, September's reading came in at 54.5, which was 1.3 points above the reading for August and also the highest reading since March.  Perhaps the only bad thing to say about both charts below is that in each case, the indicators remain in downtrends from their February 2011 peaks.  For charts and a table of each subcomponent, please click here.

Looking for new stock ideas?  Each week we publish "the Bespoke 50," a list of our favorite growth stocks in the Russell 3,000.  To make the list of 50, a stock must have strong earnings growth prospects along with an attractive price chart based on Bespoke's proprietary fundamental and technical analysis.

The "Bespoke 50" is released on a weekly basis, and in it you'll find the 50 stocks that made the cut, price charts for each of them, and an Excel file that you can download as well.

If you're interested in finding the 50 growth stocks that Bespoke finds most attractive, become a Bespoke Premium member today.  Please click here to subscribe.