Chicago Business Barometer™ - Softened to 44.0 in February
The Chicago Business Barometer™, produced with MNI softened by -2.0 points to 44.0 in February.
The Chicago Business BarometerTM, produced with MNI softened -2.0 points to 44.0 in February. This is the third consecutive monthly decline, pushing the index deeper into contractionary territory, and marking the lowest print since July 2023. We also note that this print is -1.4 points below the 2023 average.
PRODUCTION FALLS TO ITS LOWEST LEVEL SINCE MAY 2023, EMPLOYMENT DROPS TO ITS LOWEST SINCE JULY 2023
Production fell -5.8 points to 42.9 points, the lowest level since May 2023 and third consecutive month on month fall.
Employment dropped -6.0 points to 40.7 points, the lowest since July 2023.
SUPPLIER DELIVERIES REENTERS CONTRACTIONARY TERRITORY, WHILST INVENTORIES REBUILT
Supplier Deliveries were down -2.6 points, the lowest since October 2023 and taking the subindex back into contractionary territory.
Order Backlogs picked up +1.1 points, the second consecutive monthly rise.
New Orders increased slightly by +0.3 points, the highest level since November 2023.
Inventories rebuilt +6.0 points, however, remain in contraction. The rise was driven by more respondents replenishing inventory levels.
Prices paid saw a small change of +0.8 points to 64.7.
The survey ran from February 1 to February 13.