MNI Chicago Business Barometer Retreats.....>

US DATA: MNI Chicago Business Barometer Retreats in March to 58.7 

-MNI Chicago: Both Production, New Orders Pullback; Lowest Since Jan

-MNI Chicago: Order Backlogs Fall Below 50; Lowest Since Dec-16 

-MNI Chicago: Prices Paid Lowest Since August 2017

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The MNI Chicago Business Barometer fell 6 points to 58.7 in March from 64.7,

partially offsetting last month's gain. The Barometer averaged 60.0 in Q1, down

3.5% on Q4 2018 and 3.3% on Q1 2018. The March fall was led by three of the five

Barometer components, with Employment and Supplier Deliveries both increasing,

albeit marginally. Order Backlogs shrank the most, with the indicator falling

into contraction territory for the first time since January 2017. Companies ran

down their inventories at the fastest pace since July 2018. The Prices Paid

indicator saw the biggest monthly fall in 17 months, hitting the lowest level

since August 2017. The survey period ran from March 4 to 8.