Chicago PMI Eases In August

The Chicago Business Barometer, also known as the Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Index, is similar to the national ISM Manufacturing indicator but at a regional level and is seen by many as an indicator of the larger US economy. It is a composite diffusion indicator, made up of production, new orders, order backlogs, employment, and supplier deliveries compiled through surveys. Values above 50.0 indicate expanding manufacturing activity.

The latest Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Index, or the Chicago Business Barometer, fell in August to 63.6 from 65.5 in July, which was above the Investing.com forecast 63.0.

Here is an excerpt from the press release:

“The MNI Chicago Business Barometer continues to signal solid business sentiment, despite easing for the first time in five months, with growth in output and demand holding up well,” said Jamie Satchi, Economist at MNI Indicators. “Inflationary pressures look set to continue, potentially bleeding into consumer prices, with over 60% of firms reporting that they have passed on higher input costs to customers in recent months, and others foreseeing doing so in the near future,” he added. [Source]

Let’s take a look at the Chicago PMI since its inception.

Here’s a closer look at the indicator since 2000.

Let’s compare the Chicago PMI with the more popular national ISM Manufacturing Index. Both indices clearly follow one another with the ISM falling slightly lower on average. Note the ISM Manufacturing indicator is through the previous month.