Chicago Business Activity Fell in August
By Dean Seal
Business activity in the Chicago area unexpectedly sank this month, a monthly survey showed Friday.
The Chicago Business Barometer, compiled by MNI Indicators, fell 10.5 points to 47.1 in August from 57.6 the previous month. Economists polled by The Wall Street Journal had expected a reading of 58. A measurement below 50 indicates a contraction in activity.
The decline was driven by a drop in new orders, order backlogs, production and supplier deliveries. Employment saw a small increase.
New orders slipped 15.4 points in a sharp contraction, though still above a low in April. Order backlogs weakened by 12.1 points, below the neutral mark and at a low not seen since last November.
Supplier deliveries eased 2.6 points, but remained in expansion for what has been 19 consecutive months. Inventories retreated 14 points, returning to contraction after just a month above 50.
Price paid jumped 3.8 points to the highest level since February 2022, with some respondents citing higher metal costs.
Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
August 28, 2026 10:18 ET (14:18 GMT)
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