By Xavier Fontdegloria

U.S. services sector expanded for the sixth straight month in November at roughly the same speed as the previous month, suggesting activity held up amid the rise in Covid-19 cases nationwide.

The ISM Services Report on Business PMI for November fell to 55.9 from the October reading of 56.6, matching economists expectations polled by The Wall Street Journal.

The reading is over the 50 point break-even point that separates expansion over contraction in activity and signals a slight slowdown in the growth pace registered in October.

"In November, there continued to be a slight pullback in the rate of growth in the services sector," said Anthony Nieves, chair of the ISM Services Business Survey Committee, noting that respondents' comments are mixed about business conditions and the economy.

"Most companies are cautious as they navigate operations amid the pandemic and the aftermath of the U.S. presidential election," he said.

In November, the ISM services business activity index slowed to 58.0 from October's 61.2 level. The new orders index fell to 57.2 from 58.8 the prior month.

The employment index ticked up in November to 51.5 from 50.1 the month before.

The prices index climbed to 66.1 from October reading of 63.9.

Among the 14 services industries reporting growth in November, there are transportation and warehousing, management of companies and support services, and health care and social assistance.

ISM services PMI also signaled that the U.S. overall economic activity grew in November, as a reading above 48.5 over time generally indicates an expansion of the overall economy. This is the sixth straight month in which the PMI indicates such expansion.

Write to Xavier Fontdegloria at xavier.fontdegloria@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

December 03, 2020 10:27 ET (15:27 GMT)