MNI DATA IMPACT: Chicago Biz Barometer Rises in May

     LONDON (MNI) - The MNI Chicago Business Barometer increased by 1.6 points

to 54.2 in May from 52.6 in April. Despite the pick-up in sentiment, the survey

points to softness in business activity, as indicated by the three-month average

slipping to a two-year low.

     The following are the key points from the May MNI Chicago Business

Barometer:

     - The rise in business confidence was led by Production and New Orders. New

Orders increased for the first time in three months, but the increase was not

large enough to offset last month's fall. Production picked-up to match its

three-month average but was significantly below its 12-month average.

     - Order Backlogs slipped into contraction again, the second such instance

this year. Backlogs against other sub-components have contracted the most over

the past year, giving further evidence of lukewarm demand.

     - Weaker demand for labor continued in the wake of slower growth in demand

and production seen since the turn of the year, despite this month's positive

outturn. Employment was below both its three-month and 12-month averages and at

the lowest level since October 2017.

--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

--MNI London Bureau; +44-203-865-3820; email: Ian.Stannard@marketnews.com

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