A report has shown that growth in the US economy's vast services sector slowed last month, held back in part by supply disruptions caused by Japan's earthquake.
After hitting a five-year high in February, the Institute for Supply Management's index of non-manufacturing activity slipped back in March and prices eased.
The index recorded 57.3 last month, having hit a five-year high of 59.7 in February. Nonetheless, the services sector posted a 16th straight month of growth, as it stayed above the 50 mark.
The survey could strengthen the case of some top Federal Reserve officials who argue the US economy is not yet strong enough to warrant removing the massive support provided by the US central bank.
The ISM's manufacturing report last week showed rising commodity costs pushed prices to their highest since mid-2008.
Today's report on the services sector, which accounts for about 80% of the US economy, was below economists' forecasts.
