MNI DATA IMPACT: Chicago Biz Barometer Bounces Back In August

--MNI Chicago Business Barometer 50.4 Aug Vs 44.4 July

     LONDON (MNI) - The Chicago Business Barometer, produced by MNI, rose to

50.4 in August, up from 44.4 last month, helped by a recovery in Order Backlogs.

The index had been in contractionary territory for the previous two months.

     The following are the key points from the August MNI Chicago Report:

     -Order Backlogs recovered to 51.3 in August after three straight months

below 50. The index stood at 43.5 in July

     -Only two of the Business Activity components saw a monthly decline.

Supplier Deliveries saw a sharp fall, dropping to 50.3 from July's 55.6.

     -The survey still suggests a softer overall tone in business activity

despite the August pick-up in sentiment, as the three-month average fell again,

dipping to 48.2.

     -Production remains muted, despite a pickup of 6.7 points. Demand recovered

slightly, highlighted by an increase in New Orders, which shifted back into

expansion.

     -Labour demand improved in August, with the Employment indicator rising

slightly to 43.7, although the component remained in contraction for a second

month.

     -Prices Paid at the factory gate ticked up 3.7 points, reaching a

five-month high of 59.8 - still a long way shy of the 12-month high 79.8 seen in

September 2018.

     -The time taken to source Production Material fell to 40.9 in August after

reaching a series high of 57.4 in July. Time to source MRO supplies eased for

the second successive time to 10.0 days, while sourcing time for Capital

Equipment fell to 133.4.

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com

--MNI London Bureau; +44 0203 865 3814; email: irene.prihoda@marketnews.com

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