Chicago Business Barometer skids 8.8 points to 52.9

The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago reported on April 30 that the Chicago Business Barometer gave up most of the gain it achieved in March.

The Business Barometer Index, which rose from 47.9 in February to 61.7 in March, dropped down to 52.9 for April.

In other components of the report:

The New Orders rate of gain slowed dramatically;

• Production slowed less than New Orders, consistent with Order Backlog drawdown;
• Prices Paid increased;
• Employment declined for the fourth month out of the last five;
• Buying Policy: All lead-times lengthened.

Read the full report by visiting the organization’s Web site at www.napm-chicago.net.