The Chicago Business Barometer, a leading indicator of economic activity in the US, declined 3.9 points to 59.1 in December, representing the second consecutive monthly decline but still pointing to reasonably firm growth. While business activity softened in December, companies continued to report expansion in production and new orders albeit at a slower rate. Employment also fell significantly just above 50, indicating a contraction. Supplier deliveries were the only component that increased at a faster rate, seen as a potential signal for continued growth. The chief economist commented that while activity dipped in December, businesses still reported solid expansion in key areas.

1. London,
31 December 2013
MNI Chicago Report
EMBARGOED UNTIL 9.45 A.M. E.T., 31 DECEMBER 2013
Chicago Business Barometer down 3.9 to 59.1 in
December
Media Release
 Strong Expansion but at Slower Rate
The December Chicago Business Barometer softened to 59.1 from 63.0 in
November, the second consecutive monthly decline following October’s surge to
65.9, the highest since March 2011.
The moderation in December was led by a second month of slippage in New
Orders and declines in four of the five components that comprise the Barometer.
In spite of December’s slowdown, the Barometer continued to point to reasonably
firm growth and the three month average rose to the highest since May 2011.
Chicago area purchasers continued to report an expansion in business activity,
albeit at a slower rate in New Orders, Production and Order Backlogs.
Employment fell significantly to just above 50 in December.
Supplier Deliveries, the only component of the Barometer to expand at a faster
rate, rose to the highest since June 2011. An ongoing lengthening in Supplier
Deliveries was a concern among purchasers in December as it was viewed as a
possible harbinger to continued growth.
Commenting on the MNI Chicago Report, Philip Uglow, Chief Economist at MNI
Indicators said, “The Chicago Business Barometer finally turned a corner in 2013
having been in decline for the previous two years and ended the year with fourth
quarter growth at the highest for more than two years.”
“While activity dipped a little in December, businesses continued to report firm
growth in Production and New Orders,” he added.
Note: Revised seasonal factors for 2014 will be published on January 16 at
0945 ET. Please see full release schedule below.
media@mni-indicators.com | www.mni-indicators.com | @MNIIndicators

2. 2014 Release Schedule
Month
Release time (ET) and date
2014 seasonal factors and revisions
09:45, Thursday, 16/01/2014
Jan‐14
09:45, Friday, 31/01/2014
Feb‐14
09:45, Friday, 28/02/2014
Mar‐14
09:45, Monday, 31/03/2014
Apr‐14
09:45, Wednesday, 30/04/2014
May‐14
09:45, Friday, 30/05/2014
Jun‐14
09:45, Monday, 30/06/2014
Jul‐14
09:45, Thursday, 31/07/2014
Aug‐14
09:45, Friday, 29/08/2014
Sep‐14
09:45, Tuesday, 30/09/2014
Oct‐14
09:45, Friday, 31/10/2014
Nov‐14
09:45, Wednesday, 26/11/2014
Dec‐14
09:45, Wednesday, 31/12/2014
‐ ENDS ‐
media@mni-indicators.com | www.mni-indicators.com | @MNIIndicators

3. For further information, please contact:
Naomi Kim,
Public Relations
naomi.kim@deutsche-boerse.com
+1 212 669 6459
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
BarometerTM and a number of other Business Activity and Buying Policy indicators.
The data is seasonally adjusted.
The Chicago Business BarometerTM 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 BarometerTM 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.
media@mni-indicators.com | www.mni-indicators.com | @MNIIndicators