**MNI 5 Things: Chicago PMI End Three-Month Downward Run

By Jamie Satchithanantham

     **LONDON (MNI) - The following are the key points from the April MNI

Chicago Business Barometer:

     - The MNI Chicago Business Barometer ended a run of three straight declines

in April, nudging up marginally to 57.6 from 57.4 in March. Despite the

increase, the Barometer was down just shy of 2% on the year and sits below the

12-month average of 62.3.

     - Input prices continue to bite into firms' margins. The Prices Paid

indicator, which has trended higher since early 2016, rose to a near-seven-year

high in April. According to firms surveyed, suppliers looked to take advantage

of the current uncertainty regarding trade conditions, charging higher prices

for wide range of key materials.

     - Lead times lengthened in April and further restrained firm's activity.

The Supplier Deliveries indicator rose to a five-month high and has grown by 17%

on the year. Multiple businesses cited increased difficulty getting hold of

steel from mills with supply short.

     - Although firms are concerned about the impact of U.S. tariffs, the

majority do not think they will have long-lasting negative consequences for

their business. This month's special question asked firms to assess the impact

of tariffs on their business and just over half said they expected any adverse

effects to be minimal.

     - Mirroring the headline index, the Production index grew for the first

time this year in April. Incoming orders, however, weakened for a fourth

consecutive month and remained at its weakest level since January 2017.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; +44 203-586-2226; email: jamie.satchithanantham@marketnews.com

[TOPICS: MAUDR$,MAUDS$,M$U$$$]