The Chicago Business Barometer increased to 63.0 in April from 55.9 in March, the fastest pace for six months, led by sharp rises in New Orders and Production.

1. media@mni-indicators.com | www.mni-indicators.com | @MNIIndicators
London,
30 April 2014
MNI Chicago Report
EMBARGOED UNTIL 9.45 A.M. E.T., 30 April 2014
Chicago Business Barometer Up 7.1 to 63.0 in April
• New Orders and Production Expand Sharply to Highest Since October
• Employment Rebounds Amid Increased Orders and Production
The Chicago Business Barometer increased to 63.0 in April from 55.9 in March, the
fastest pace of growth for six months, led by sharp rises in New Orders and
Production.
April’s gain, the second strongest outturn in two and a half years, left the three month
trend in the Barometer just below the 60 level, consistent with continued recovery of
the US economy.
New Orders and Production increased sharply, while improvements in Order Backlogs
and Employment also added to the month’s strong performance.
Employment rebounded, nearly offsetting March’s decline. Recent volatility in
Employment reflects the ebb and flow of demand, with many companies employing a
highly contingent workforce.
Supplier Deliveries was the only component of the Barometer to expand at a slower
pace in April. Faster delivery times were partially due to better weather conditions.
Inventory of finished goods contracted at a slower pace and stood close to neutral.
Prices Paid eased for the third consecutive month and remained at their lowest level
for a year.
Commenting on the MNI Chicago Report, Philip Uglow, Chief Economist at MNI
Indicators said, “Last month’s downturn appears to have been a blip with the
Barometer increasing sharply in April to the highest since October 2013. Looking at
both March and April in aggregate leaves the pace of growth steady at around the 60
mark, which chimes with continued growth in the US economy.”
“It’s a good start to the second quarter, and the increases in New Orders and
Production lend support to growing views that US GDP growth is set to accelerate,”
he added.
- ENDS -
MediaRelease

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Editorial Content:
Philip Uglow,
Chief Economist, MNI Indicators
Alyce Andres-Frantz
Chicago Bureau Chief, MNI News
Notes to Editors
Please source all information to MNI Indicators.
The MNI Chicago Report is published by MNI Indicators, part of Deutsche Börse
Group, in partnership with the ISM-Chicago.
The MNI Chicago Report is published monthly and contains the Chicago Business
Barometer
TM
and a number of other Business Activity and Buying Policy indicators.
The data is seasonally adjusted.
The Chicago Business Barometer
TM
is a closely watched leading indicator of U.S.
economic activity and is based on a survey panel of purchasing/supply-chain
professionals, primarily drawn from membership of the Institute for Supply
Management-Chicago (ISM-Chicago). The survey panel contains both manufacturing
and non-manufacturing firms, many with global operations.
The Chicago Business Barometer
TM
is a composite diffusion indicator made up of the
Production, New Orders, Order Backlogs, Employment and Supplier Deliveries
indicators and is designed to predict future changes in gross domestic product (GDP).
An indicator reading above 50 indicates expansion compared with a month earlier
while below 50 indicates contraction. A result of 50 is neutral. The farther an indicator
is above or below 50, the greater or smaller the rate of change.
About the ISM-Chicago
ISM-Chicago is a non-profit association dedicated to strengthening the community of
purchasing and supply management professionals in the Chicagoland area. As an
affiliate of the Institute of Supply Management (ISM), the organization is committed to
the ongoing professional development of its members and the purchasing and supply
management profession through education, research and communication. For more
information on becoming a part of ISM-Chicago, call (847) 298-1940.
About MNI Indicators
MNI Indicators, part of Deutsche Börse Group, offers unique macro-economic data
and insight to businesses and the investment community. We produce data and
intelligence that is unbiased, pertinent and responsive. Our data moves markets.
For more information, visit our website at www.mni-indicators.com.