MNI DATA IMPACT: Chicago Biz Barometer Sees Confidence Slide

--Firms Less Optimistic Over Outlook In March Survey 

     LONDON (MNI) - The following are the key points from the March MNI Chicago

Business Barometer:

     - The MNI Chicago Business Barometer softened in March to 58.7, bringing

the Q1 average to 60.0, its lowest quarterly reading in two years. Although the

barometer has comfortably remained above the 50- neutral level for more than two

years now, survey evidence points to a slight slowdown since last year.

     - Inflationary pressures eased, as indicated by the Prices Paid indicator

showing the biggest monthly fall in 17 months. This is in line with U.S.

producer prices, that grew at a meagre rate of 0.1% m/m in February following

three months of decline.

     - Unfulfilled orders shrank significantly in March, diving into contraction

territory for the first time since January 2017, recording the largest monthly

decline in the history of the survey.

     - This month's special question asked firms about their forecast for new

orders in Q2. A total 46.8% firms expected orders to increase in Q2 while 14.8%

saw their orders plummet. Optimism has waned this year, with companies less

bullish now than when the same question was posed in 2017 and 2018.

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

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2224; email: shaily.mittal@mni-indicators.com

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2223; email: david.robinson@marketnews.com

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