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MNI Chicago Business Barometer™ Rises To 60.3 In May

US DATA
MNI (London)

The Chicago Business BarometerTM, produced with MNI, recovered to 60.3 in May, following last month’s dip to 56.4. Inventories saw a fresh near 50-year high.

  • All main indicators increased except for supplier deliveries, which hit the lowest since November 2020.
  • Production jumped 10 points in May, 0.4 points above the 12-month average. Firms cited China’s lockdowns causing material supply disruptions and a slowing of production; however, demand was very strong.
  • New Orders saw the second-largest increase this month, accelerating 8.6 points, edging closer to the March 2022 level, now sitting 3.3 points below the 12-month average. Close to a third of firms saw more orders this month compared to April.
  • Order Backlogs inched up 1.2 points to a 7-month high 64.6. Responses were varied, some stating mismatches between production capacity and increased new orders.
  • Supplier Deliveries dipped again, down 5.2 points to 69.3. This was the lowest since November 2020 as deliveries remained slow and lead times lengthened. Firms cited lockdowns in China as a key culprit.
  • Inventories rose 4.5 points to 69.1, a near 50-year high, as firms again expanded their inventories to buffer for further supply disruptions and shortages.
  • Prices Paid came in 2.5 points higher at 88.6 with over three-quarters of firms inferring higher prices. Raw material, labor and shipping costs were acute. Some firms did see prices easing in certain commodities.
  • The survey ran from May 2 to 17.

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