MNI Chicago Business Barometer Cools in.....>

US DATA: MNI Chicago Business Barometer Cools in June to 49.7 

-MNI Chicago: New Orders Below 50 

-MNI Chicago: Order Backlogs Lowest Since Dec-15 

-MNI Chicago: Prices Paid Highest Since March

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The MNI Chicago Business Barometer decreased by 4.5 points to 49.7 in June from

54.2 in May, marking the first sub-50 reading since January 2017. Four of the

five components declined this month, with only Employment posting an increase.

Demand eased for the fourth time this year, helping push the indicator into the

contraction territory for the first time since January 2017. Amid weak demand,

firms also slowed production levels. The Production indicator fell 15.5% on the

quarter to hit a three-year low. Prices at the factory gate picked up for the

second consecutive month. There was anecdotal evidence of tariffs leading to

higher prices, with some firms looking for cheaper alternate sources, both

domestically and internationally. The survey period ran from June 3 to 18.