The MNI Chicago Business Barometer Hit Highest Level in Over Three Years Increasing to 65.7 in June from 59.4 in May, the MNI Chicago Business Barometer hit highest level in over three years. New Orders hit their highest level since May 2014 and the order Backlogs component hit its highest level since July, 1994. Manufactured [...]
Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) Reports Improvements in Production-related Indicators We begin the week with the release of the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) which reports that improvements in production-related indicators the CFNAI rose to +0.49 in April from +0.07 in March. Two of the four broad categories of indicators that make up [...]
MNI Chicago Business Barometer Increased to Highest Level Since January 2015 The MNI Chicago Business Barometer increased in April to its highest level since January 2015. Optimism among firms about business conditions rose for the third month in a row. The April Chicago report showcased another impressive month with firms reporting solid growth. Rising demand [...]
Raw Steel Production Rose 0.4 Percent US raw steel production rose 0.4 percent last week as mills operated at an ACUR of 69.8 percent. In the corresponding week last year mills operated at an ACUR of 70.5 percent. Thus far this year mills have produced prox 64,000,000 tons, down from the prox 65,000,000 tons produced [...]
USA Drill Rigs Running Rose by 10 Last Week to 491 The number of USA drill rigs running rose by 10 last week to 491, led by Texas, up by eight. At this time last year there were 885 American drill rigs (AMM) pulling black gold from the earth. We have got a ways to [...]
US LEI Increased 0.3% in June The Conference Board Leading Economic Index was released on Thursday and reports the LEI increased 0.3 percent in June following a 0.2 percent decline in May and a 0.5 percent increase in April. The US LEI increased in June, reversing its May decline. Improvements in initial claims for unemployment insurance, [...]
CFNAI Fell in May to -0.51 Led by declines in production related indicators, the Chicago Fed National Activity Index/CFNAI fell in May to -0.51 from +0.05 in April. All four broad categories which comprise the index decreased in April and all four made negative contributions to the index. The index’s three month moving average (CFNAI-MA3), decreased [...]
Industrial Output Slowed in March US industrial output slowed in March, a signal that weakness persists for manufacturers and the energy industry. Industrial production-a broad gauge of output across US factories, mines and power plants-decreased a seasonally adjusted 0.6% in March from the prior month. Output has fallen for six of the past seven months. [...]
Automotive, Mining, Energy & Agriculture - Economic Driving Industries Down The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Fifth District Survey of Manufacturing Activity manufacturing activity slowed in September. Order backlogs and new orders decreased while shipments declined…manufacturers anticipated improved business conditions during the next six months. Producers expected faster growth in shipments and in the volume [...]
The Conference Board Leading Economic Index (LEI) Released Friday, the LEI increased 0.5 percent in December following a 0.4 percent November increase and a 0.6 percent increase in October. December’s gain in the LEI was driven by a majority of its components, suggesting the short term outlook is getting brighter and the economy continues to [...]