Chicago Business Barometer Slipped in April
The Chicago Business Barometer slipped 3.0 points to 44.6 in April. This more than reverses March’s 2.1 point rise, but still leaves the index above January’s 39.5 reading. The index has been in contraction for seventeen consecutive months.
The decrease was driven by a pullback in New Orders and Production, and to a lesser extent Supplier Deliveries. Order Backlogs and Employment rose relative to March. ISM
US raw steel production up from previous week
In the week ending May 24, 2025, US raw steel production was 1,744,000 net tons at an ACUR of 77.6 percent. This is an increase of 1.4 percent from the previous week ending May 17, 2025. Adjusted YTD production through May 24, 2025 was 34,530,000 net tons at an ACUR of 75.2 percent.
Manufacturing activity slowed in May
The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond released its Fifth District survey of Manufacturing Activity results and reports manufacturing activity slowed in May. The composite manufacturing index increased to -9 in May from -13 in April, remaining in negative territory. Of its three component indexes, shipments and new orders rose to -10 and -14 respectively.
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased
Real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) decreased at an annual rate of 0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2025 according to the second of three estimates of Q1 GDP. The decrease is attributed to an increase in imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP and a decrease in government spending. These movements were partly offset by increases in investment, consumer spending, and exports. BEA
MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN
“KEEP AMERICA GREAT”
Have a great weekend…. God bless America!
Buy American made products whenever you can, it’s good for you, good for your friends and neighbors and good for our country.
If you are hiring…try to hire a veteran…. they are loyal, disciplined, hardworking…and they deserve our support.
By the way, if you wish to comment on my rants or offer any other insights you may have, you are encouraged to email me.
TEDDY ROOSEVELT ON IMMIGRANTS IN AMERICA…1907
In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person’s becoming in every facet an American and nothing but an American. There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn’t an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag…We have room for but one language here and that is the English language…and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people.”
