Chicago Business Barometer Rebounds More Than Expected In December

RTTNews | 859 days ago
Chicago Business Barometer Rebounds More Than Expected In December

(RTTNews) - A report released by MNI Indicators on Friday showed a bigger than expected slowdown in the pace of contraction in Chicago-area business activity in the month of December.

MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer climbed to 44.9 in December from 37.2 in November, although a reading below 50 still indicates a contraction. Economists had expected the index to rise to 41.2.

The bigger than expected rebound came after the Chicago business barometer fell to its lowest reading since the 2008/09 global financial crisis, excluding the 2020 pandemic shock.

The report showed the new orders index jumped to 44.1 in December from 30.7 in November, reflecting a number of last-minute and year-end blanket orders.

The production index also rose to 39.2 in December from 35.9 in November, although MNI Indicators said material and staff shortages were cited as hampering production.

Meanwhile, MNI Indicators said the employment index slid to 40.8 in December from 47.1 in November, as firms struggled to replace employees that had retired or changed workplaces.

The report also showed the prices paid index fell to 64.1 in December from 66.2 in November, dropping to its lowest level since September 2020.

MNI Indicators said some firms are expecting higher labor costs, whilst others highlighted lower demand and falling oil and steel prices pushing prices down.

read more
Fed Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged, Warns Of Higher Unemployment, Inflation.

Fed Leaves Interest Rates Unchanged, Warns Of Higher Unemployment, Inflation.

The Federal Reserve on Wednesday announced its widely expected decision to leave interest rates unchanged, highlighting increased uncertainty about the economic outlook. The Fed said it decided to leave the target for the federal funds rate at 4.25 to 4.50 percent for the third straight meeting.
RTTNews | 3h 56min ago
U.S. Trade Deficit Spikes To Record High In March As Import Surge

U.S. Trade Deficit Spikes To Record High In March As Import Surge

The U.S. trade deficit spiked by much more than expected in the month of March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department on Tuesday. The report said the trade deficit soared to a record high $140.5 billion in March from a revised $123.2 billion in February.
RTTNews | 1 day ago
U.S. Services Index Unexpectedly Increases In April

U.S. Services Index Unexpectedly Increases In April

A report released by the Institute for Supply Management on Monday showed an unexpected increase by its reading on U.S. service sector activity in the month of April. The ISM said its services PMI rose to 51.6 in April from 50.8 in March, with a reading above 50 indicating growth. Economists had expected the index to edge down to 50.6.
RTTNews | 2 days ago
U.S. Factory Orders Spike Slightly Less Than Expected In March

U.S. Factory Orders Spike Slightly Less Than Expected In March

The Commerce Department released a report on Friday showing a sharp increase by new orders for U.S. manufactured goods in the month of March. The report said factory orders spiked by 4.3 percent in March after rising by a downwardly revised 0.5 percent in February.
RTTNews | 5 days ago
U.S. Employment Jumps By 177,000 Jobs In April, Much More Than Expected

U.S. Employment Jumps By 177,000 Jobs In April, Much More Than Expected

Job growth in the U.S. far exceeded economist estimates in the month of April, according to a closely watched report released by the Labor Department on Friday. The Labor Department said non-farm payroll employment shot up by 177,000 jobs in April compared to expectations for an increase of about 130,000 jobs.
RTTNews | 5 days ago
U.S. Construction Spending Unexpectedly Falls 0.5% In March

U.S. Construction Spending Unexpectedly Falls 0.5% In March

Construction spending in the U.S. unexpectedly decreased in the month of March, the Commerce Department revealed in a report released on Thursday. The Commerce Department said construction spending fell by 0.5 percent to an annual rate of $2.196 trillion in March after climbing by 0.6 percent to a revised rate of $2.207 trillion in February.
RTTNews | 6 days ago