Economy

Chicago Business Barometer Adjusted Lower

January 25, 2019

The Chicago Business Barometer for December was revised downward to 63.8 from 65.4 following annual seasonal adjustments.

The changes resulted in higher growth for first and second quarter, no change in third quarter, but a downward revision for the fourth quarter. The results indicate a cooling of growth at the end of 2018, said MNI Indicators.

Results for November saw the biggest change, with the Barometer falling 2.9 points to 63.5 from 66.4.

MNIrevision

Said MNI Indicators in a press release: “Of the five components that make up the headline Barometer, it was Order Backlogs that saw the biggest downward revision over H2 2018, revised down by 1.1 points. Production and New Orders were also revised down over the second half of 2018, both by 0.7 points. Employment and Supplier Deliveries were revised higher over the second half, by 0.1 and 0.3 points respectively. Inventories, which does not contribute to the Barometer, was revised higher by 0.3 points over H2 2018, but lower by 0.1 points over 2018.”

Tariffs were cited for causing higher input prices and restraining business activity in December.