--US June NAPM non-mfg business activity index 52.1 vs May's 46.6
--US June NAPM non-mfg employment index 45.1 vs May's 46.6
--US June NAPM non-mfg new orders index 53.1 vs May's 48.6
--US June NAPM non-mfg price index 55.5 vs May's 59.5

New York, July 5 (BridgeNews) - The National Association of Purchasing Management's index of non-manufacturing business activity rose to 52.1 in June from 46.6 in May, the NAPM reported Wednesday. The index rose above the 50.0 boom-or-bust level for the first time since March this year.

The monthly report, which is a counterpart to NAPM's widely-watched monthly index of manufacturing activity, also said the employment index fell to 45.1 from 46.6 in May. For the second month in a row, the decline was the lowest value recorded since the survey began in July 1997, NAPM said.
The inventory sentiment index edged up to 65.0 from 63.5 in May, while the inventory change index rise to 48.5, up from 47.5.
The prices index fell to 55.5 in June from 59.5 in May.
While the overall index rose above the 50.0 level in June, comments from purchasing managers showed that some industries are continuing to contract amid some growth in some companies.
Increased business activity was reported by 30% of purchasers, up from 26% in May.
A number above 50 is considered a sign of expansion in the non- manufacturing economy. A number below that level is seen as indicating a slowing in the non-manufacturing economy.
The purchasing managers' report is a survey of more than 370 purchasing and supply managers from over 60 different sectors representing industries including agriculture, forestry and fisheries, mining, construction, transportation, communications, electric, gas and sanitary services, wholesale trade, retail trade, finance, insurance and real estate, services and public administration.
NAPM's manufacturing index is closely followed by financial markets and Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan because it provides early indications of developments in the manufacturing sector of the economy.
The NAPM non-manufacturing index also may receive considerable attention in financial markets in the future because of the growing importance of the service sector in the economy.

Below is a list of all the indexes for March through June:

June May April March
Business Activity 52.1 46.6 47.1 50.3
New Orders 53.1 48.6 45.9 52.2
Backlog of Orders 49.0 46.5 44.0 47.5
New Export Orders 49.5 48.5 55.5 49.5
Inventory Change 48.5 47.5 45.5 49.0
Inventory Sentiment 65.0 63.5 64.0 69.0
Imports 48.6 48.5 49.3 48.1
Prices 55.5 59.5 59.5 59.5
Employment 45.1 46.6 46.7 49.4
Supplier Deliveries 51.0 52.0 51.0 50.5