Chicago Business Barometer Falls in July....>

US DATA: Chicago Business Barometer Falls in July to 44.4

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The Chicago Business Barometer, produced by MNI, eased further to 44.4 in July

from 49.7 last month, the second sub-50 reading in 30 months. Four of the five

components were in contraction territory this month, with only Supplier

Deliveries above 50. The weakness in the Barometer observed in Q2 continued into

the current quarter, with the latest outturn making it the weakest start to Q3

since the financial crisis. The Production indicator fell 22% on the month to

hit a 10-year low. Demand remained muted, highlighted by the New Orders

indicator that subsided further into contraction. The Employment indicator

nosedived into contraction for the first time since October 2017 and hit the

lowest level since October 2009.The survey period ran from July 1 to 17.