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MNI Chicago Business Barometer™ Falls Sharply In February

US DATA
(MNI) LONDON

The Chicago Business BarometerTM, produced with MNI, fell 8.9 points to 56.3 in February, weakening for the first time since November 2021 to an 18-month low.

  • Prices Paid declined 2.5 points to an 11-month low of 86.5 in February. Some firms noted price gouging by suppliers, whilst others saw prices levelling off.
  • New Orders slowed with almost a quarter of firms surveyed seeing a decline. All five of the main five indicators fell, with New Orders and Supplier Deliveries taking the largest hit. Only Inventories edged up over the month.
  • Production fell for the second consecutive month, dipping 5.2 points to 55.4, the lowest reading since August 2020. Firms were seeing more orders unfilled due to materiel shortages. Employment dropped to 43.5 following January’s recovery, fading 5.6 points, to the lowest since October 2020. Firms stated that vaccine mandates and seasonal factors were causing resignations.
  • New Orders slowed to a 20-month low of 53.0, falling 12.3 points. Supplier Deliveries eased 12.3 points through February to 75.3, despite firms still reporting suppliers struggling to both manage demand and increase prices..

MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com
MNI London Bureau | +44 203-865-3812 | les.commons@marketnews.com

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