Chicago PMI Declines In Again In October

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 October to 58.4 from 60.4 in September, which was above the Investing.com forecast 60.3.

Here is an excerpt from the press release:

“The MNI Chicago Business Barometer continued to revert back towards trend-levels in October, cooling off after a hot and unsustainable run last year,” said Jamie Satchi, Economist at MNI
Indicators. [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.