WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - U.S. service-sector companies grew in July at the faster pace in nine years, according to survey of senior executives. The Institute for Supply Management said its nonmanufacturing index rose to 58.7% last month from 56.0% in June. That's the highest rate since December 2005. Economists polled by MarketWatch had expected the index to move up to 56.5%. Reading over 50% indicate more companies are expanding instead of shrinking. Sixteen of the 18 industries tracked by Tempe, Ariz.-based ISM reported growth last month. The ISM's new-orders index climbed 3.7 points to 64.9% - also the highest in nine years - while the employment gauge advanced 1.6 points to 56.0%. The employment index is the highest since January.