Service sector shrinks unexpectedly in Nov.

NEW YORK(AP) The Institute for Supply Management's service index dropped to 48.7 from 50.6 in October. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters had expected a level of 51.1.

Any reading below 50 signals contraction. The service sector grew in September for the first time in 13 months.

The ISM measure tracks more than 80 percent of the country's economic activity, including such diverse industries as health care, retail, financial services and transportation.