Morningstar

Chicago Fed Index Shows Declining Growth in August

Provided by Dow Jones

By Dean Seal 




  Economic growth appears to have slowed below the long-run trend in August, according to an index published by the Chicago Fed. 



  The reserve bank's national activity index fell to minus 0.04 in August, from a revised 0.08 in July. A reading below zero indicates that the economy is growing below its historical average trend rate. 



  Two of the four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index decreased month-over-month. The CFNAI Diffusion Index, based on a three-month moving average, dropped to 0.02 in August from 0.04 in July. 



  Indicators related to production and the sales cycle declined from July levels, with production-related indicators turning negative. Employment-related and personal consumption-related indicators improved slightly month-over-month, with both just barely turning positive, the Chicago Fed said. 





  Write to Dean Seal at dean.seal@wsj.com 





  (END) Dow Jones Newswires



  September 21, 2026 08:45 ET (12:45 GMT)


Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
  

					The articles, information, and content displayed on this webpage may
					include materials prepared and provided by third parties. Such
					third-party content is offered for informational purposes only and
					is not endorsed, reviewed, or verified by Morningstar.
				
 

					Morningstar makes no representations or warranties regarding the
					accuracy, completeness, timeliness, or reliability of any third-party
					content displayed on this site. The views and opinions expressed in
					third-party content are those of the respective authors and do not
					necessarily reflect the views of Morningstar, its affiliates, or employees.
				
 

					Morningstar is not responsible for any errors, omissions, or delays
					in this content, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
					Users are advised to exercise their own judgment and seek independent
					financial advice before making any decisions based on such content.
					The third-party providers of this content are not affiliated with
					Morningstar, and their inclusion on this site does not imply any
					form of partnership, agency, or endorsement.
				
 

				Popular
				
 
  
 
 
 
 
The Smartest Moves for Bond Investors Today, and What to Do When You Have Too Many Investments
 
Ask the Analyst columnist Amy Arnott answers a grab bag of reader questions about bond ETFs, TIPS, retirement planning, and more. 
 
 
Amy C. Arnott, CFA and Ivanna Hampton 
 
 
 
Undervalued by 15%, This Utilities Stock Could Be an Unexpected AI Winner
 
With a 3.3% dividend yield and earnings growth expected to exceed management’s outlook, this 4-star stock stands out in a struggling sector. 
 
 
Andrew Bischof, CFA, CPA 
 
 
 
The Thrilling 37
 
Just a few strict screens can narrow the field to an elite group of funds. 
 
 
Russel Kinnel 
 
 
 
33 Undervalued Stocks to Buy Before the Market Shifts Again
 
Here’s the new list of Morningstar’s top analyst picks for the fourth quarter of 2026. 
 
 
Susan Dziubinski and Tori Brovet 
 
 
 
Christine Benz: Why I Hired a Financial Planner
 
5 key reasons why even dedicated DIYers might benefit from paying for financial advice.  
 
 
Christine Benz 
 
 
 
 

			Sponsor Center