Chicago PMI Continues Bumpy Road

The Chicago PMI has been bumpy all year and is once again for the October report, down 3.6 points at 50.6 to indicate abrupt month-to-month slowing in composite activity. New orders are part of the slowing as is production. Signs of strength come from employment, which is back into the expansion column, and from prices paid which show the most pressure since November 2014. Though uneven and mostly soft, this report points to continued expansion for the area's economy. The Chicago PMI covers both the manufacturing and nonmanufacturing sectors.

Recent History Of This Indicator:
The Chicago PMI swung nearly 3 points higher to 54.2 in September and forecasters are calling for little change in October, at a consensus 54.3. This report tracks both the manufacturing and non-manufacturing sectors of the Chicago economy.