MNI Chicago Business Barometer 50.4 Aug.....>

US DATA: MNI Chicago Business Barometer 50.4 Aug Vs 44.4 July

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The Chicago Business Barometer, produced by MNI, rose to 50.4 in August, up from

44.4 last month, helped by a recovery in Order Backlogs. The index had been in

contractionary territory for the previous two months.

-Order Backlogs recovered to 51.3 in August after three straight months below

50. The index stood at 43.5 in July

-Supplier Deliveries saw a sharp fall, dropping to 50.3 from July's 55.6.

-Production remains muted, despite a pickup of 6.7 points. Demand recovered

slightly, pushing New Orders back into expansion.

-Labour demand improved in August, with the Employment indicator rising slightly

to 43.7, although the component remained in contraction for a second month.

-Prices Paid at the factory gate ticked up 3.7 points, reaching a five-month

high of 59.8.

-The time taken to source Production Material fell to 40.9 in August after

reaching a series high of 57.4 in July.