U.S. Service Sector Experiences 29th Month of Growth WASHINGTON (AP) - Service companies, which employ roughly 90 percent of the American work force, grew at a slightly faster pace in May. It is their 29th straight month of expansion. The Institute for Supply Management said Tuesday that its index of nonmanufacturing activity edged up to 53.7 last month from an April reading of 53.5. The May reading was slightly below the long-run average for the index of 53.9. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. The new-orders component of the index rose, suggesting that demand would be solid in coming months. But there was concern that the employment component, though still signaling expansion, slipped to the lowest reading since November. Jennifer Lee, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, noted that only 13 of 18 industries reported growth in May. That was the smallest total since the number stood at 12 in January. But she said it was a relief that the economy's nonmanufacturing sector "didn't take as much of a hit" as manufacturing did this spring. The I.S.M. survey covers all sectors outside of manufacturing. That includes retail, construction, financial services, health care and hotels. It reached the highest point in 12 months in February, when it was 57.3. The I.S.M."s manufacturing index, released last week, showed that manufacturing grew more slowly in May, hampered by weaker hiring and declining production. But in a hopeful sign, manufacturing orders hit a 13-month high. The service sector includes low-paying positions in retail and restaurants. But it also covers higher-paying jobs in professions such as information technology, accounting and financial services. The government reported Friday that the overall economy added just 69,000 jobs in May, the smallest number in a year, while the unemployment rate edged up to 8.2 percent from 8.1 percent. The dismal jobs report heightened fears that the economy was struggling. Economists are concerned that the economy could sputter this year just as it did in 2010 and 2011.