Chicago Business Barometer rebounds in June

Although up over the prior month, June marks the seventh consecutive month the Barometer has indicated contracting business conditions. Since Sept. 2022, the Barometer has only indicated expansion for a single month (Nov. 2023). This time last year the Barometer was also in contraction territory at 42.8.

The MNI report primarily accredits June’s surge to increases in new orders, followed by rises in order backlogs, production, employment, and supplier deliveries. All five subcomponents increased from May to June.

Respondents were asked two special questions this month:

• The first asked if changes in financial conditions have impacted their suppliers or clients. Over a third said they felt no impact, while 31% said impacts were unknown at this time. Meanwhile, 22% responded they were experiencing difficulties with tighter credit conditions, and 9% reported they were not looking to utilize credit at this time. Only 3% responded they were winding down borrowing due to higher costs.
• The second asked when they are planning to make major capital investments for growth.  The majority (36%) responded they were unsure, 23% responded they were investing now, and 10% indicated they would do so in the second half of this year. Finally, 26% responded they would invest in 2025, and 7% said sometime in the next two years.  

Readers can view the full release here.