Activity in the U.S. service economy grew at a slower rate in July than in the previous month, the Institute of Supply Management said today.

The ISM index of business activity in the non-manufacturing sector slipped to 60.5 last month from 62.2 in June. The index was slightly lower than the 61 reading that analysts had forecast.

It was the 28th consecutive month of expansion. A reading of 50 or above means the services sector of the economy is expanding, while a reading below 50 indicates a contraction.

The ISM said that new orders and backlog of orders increased faster, but employment increased more slowly in July than in June.

Thirteen industries reported growth in July, led by construction and insurance. Two industries — real estate and health services — reported the same rate of activity. The lone industry reporting decreased activity from the prior month was agriculture.

“With the exception of the increase in the Prices Index, there were no unusually large changes in the indexes. The overall indication is continued economic growth in the non-manufacturing sector in July at about the same rate of increase as in June. Members’ comments indicated that price increases are one of their primary concerns at the present time,” said Ralph Kauffman, chairman of the Institute for Supply Management Non-Manufacturing Business Survey Committee, in a release.