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

US DATA: MNI Chicago Business Barometer Rises to 62.7 in May

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The MNI Chicago Business Barometer rose 5.1 points to 62.7 in May, up from 57.6

in April, hitting the highest level since January. Business activity gained

traction in May, with growth in firms' operations up for only the second time

this year. All five Barometer components strengthened on the month, helping take

the Barometer's year-over-year growth back into the black. While broad based,

the Barometer's gain was largely driven by an acceleration in both output levels

and orders. Having ended a run of three consecutive falls last month, the

Production indicator notched another gain on its belt, rising to a three-month

high. New Orders also increased in May, the first sign of order book growth this

year, rising to a four-month high. The survey period ran from May 1 to May 16.