Chicago Business Barometer™ - Augmented to 46.6 in September
MNI (LONDON) - The Chicago Business Barometer™, produced with MNI, rose slightly by 0.5 points to 46.6 in September. The Barometer has now been in a tight range between 45.3-47.4 for four consecutive months. The Barometer has remained in contractionary territory for 24 of the past 25 months.
TWO OF FIVE SUBCOMPONENTS IMPROVED: ORDER BACKLOGS AND EMPLOYMENT
The marginal rise was due to two of the five subcomponents improving significantly: Order Backlogs and Employment.
Order Backlogs increased 5.3 points, although it still remains below the 2024 high in June. This was due to the highest proportion of respondents reporting unchanged backlogs since February.
Employment rose 5.0 points to 44.5, after two consecutive months of decline, with hiring in concentrated skills.
WHILST THERE WERE REDUCTIONS IN SUPPLIER DELIVERIES, NEW ORDERS AND PRODUCTION
Supplier Deliveries fell 4.9 points, after four successive months of increases. A reading above 50 may not be reflecting demand changes, instead possibly pointing to delays in supply chains.
New Orders and Production both weakened 1.1 points, with the latter at 46.8 in September.
Prices Paid remain elevated for the second consecutive month, rising by 8.3 points to 74.3, making it the highest since August 2023 and significantly above the year-to-date average of 64.6.
Finally, Inventories dipped 3.6 points.