Chicago business activity gauge softens in January

Economic Report Fifth straight month in contraction territory A worker at an outdoor furniture manufacturer helped make masks during the early stages of the pandemic in Alsip, Illinois. The Chicago Business Barometer, also known as the Chicago PMI, fell 0.8 index points to 44.3 in January. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal forecast a 45.3 reading. This is the fifth straight reading below the 50 threshold that indicates contraction territory. The…

Click here to view original web page at www.marketwatch.com