MNI Chicago Business Barometer Cooled To....>

US DATA: MNI Chicago Business Barometer Cooled To 56.7 In January

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The MNI Chicago Business Barometer dropped to 56.7 in January, down 7.1 points

from December's downwardly adjusted 63.8. Four out of the five Barometer

sub-components started the year lower. Notable falls in Production and New

Orders contributed to most of the 7.1-point fall in the headline index. The

decline marked the fifth time in two years, the Barometer has fallen on a

year-over-year basis. However, the Barometer continues to signal healthy

business conditions, recording its 35th consecutive reading above 50.

Contributing to the bulk of January's downside was a drop in New Orders to a

two-year low. As a result of January's weak order book strength, Production

declined to a 10-month low. Inflationary pressures remained elevated, although

the Prices Paid indicator was unchanged on the month, ending a run of five

consecutive monthly falls. The survey period ran from January 3 to January 21.