**MNI: 5 Things We Learned: Jan MNI Chicago Business Barometer

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

Chicago Business Barometer:

     - The MNI Chicago Business Barometer fell 2.1 points to 65.7 in January

from a previously revised 67.8 in December. Despite falling, this was the best

January result since 2011 and the 23rd straight month of expansion. 

     - Hiring sentiment surged in January, with the Employment indicator rising

to 60.7, a level last bettered in February 2012. The last time the indicator had

previously broken past the 60-mark was in November 2013.    

     - Based on the non-seasonally adjusted survey data, 48.1% of respondents

said they encountered higher input prices in January -- the highest proportion

since July 2011.     

     - As the pace of incoming orders and output softened in January, firms took

the chance to focus on unfulfilled orders. The Order Backlogs indicator fell to

55.1 in January, an eight-month low. The indicator averaged 55.2 in 2017, the

best annual result since 2011, as firms encountered higher demand and logistical

challenges posed by adverse weather conditions.     

     - A clear majority of businesses, 63.5%, feel the new tax reform bill,

which will include slashing corporation tax rates, will be good for their own

business as well as the US economy. 

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

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