MNI Chicago Business Barometer Rises to.....>

US DATA: MNI Chicago Business Barometer Rises to 67.6 in December

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The MNI Chicago Business Barometer rose to 67.6 in December, up from 63.9 in

November, closing the year at the highest level since March 2011. On a calendar

quarter basis, the Barometer rose to 65.9 in Q4 from 61.0 in Q3, the best

quarterly performance since Q1 2011 and only the second time in the last decade

the Oct-Dec period registered three consecutive above-60 readings. Both output

and demand showed strong gains in December, with each rising to multi-year

highs. The Production indicator rose to a level last seen higher 34 years ago,

while the New Orders Indicator hit a three-and-a-half year high. As for the

other three indicators that comprise the Barometer, Order Backlogs also grew

while Employment and Supplier Deliveries lost ground on the month. The survey

period ran from December 1 to December 19.