In August, Chicago-area business activity saw a sharp decline, with the business barometer dropping to 41.5 from 47.1 in July, below the 50-point threshold indicating contraction. New orders fell significantly, leading to the overall decrease. In addition, the employment index hit its lowest level since June 2020, and the production index dropped to its weakest level since December 2024. Despite this, the prices paid index remained above the 2024 average, contracting by 8.3 points for the second consecutive month.

Read more at Nasdaq: Chicago Business Barometer Slumps Much More Than Expected In August