The Chicago Business Barometer™, produced with MNI, recovered to 62.9 in March, after last month’s dip to 56.3. Inventories reached levels not seen since 1973.
All main indicators increased, with Inventories and New Orders seeing the largest boost. Only prices paid declined in March.
- Production improved to 60.0, still below the 12- month average of 62.8, but a substantial 4.6-point recovery over last month. Firms cited modest improvements in material shortages and logistic issues, allowing a production boost.
- Employment increased 4.6 points to 48.1, following February’s dip to the lowest since October 2020. Firms saw employment levels improve, although hiring skilled workers remained challenging.
- New Orders picked up to 61.9, up 8.9 points from the February fall, yet still 3.4 points weaker than January.
- Supplier Deliveries rose 3.0 points through March to 78.3, with more firms seeing deliveries slow.
- Order Backlogs inched up 2.5 points to a fivemonth high of 64.3 as backlogs remained persistently high due to key material and chip shortages.
- Inventories hit a near 50-year high in March, jumping 11.4 points to 68.7, 16.7 points above the 12-month average. Firms stocked up due to ongoing supply chain disruptions, with exports seeing longer delivery times. Some port congestion improvements were noted.
- Prices Paid slipped 0.8 points to a - still elevated - 12-month low of 85.7 in March.
- Increased lead times and capital costs sent the capital equipment subindex to a record high.
SPECIAL QUESTION
This month we again asked firms whether they are seeing any easing up in the supply chain blockages. Just over half of respondents said no, followed by close to 36% seeing some easing. 5% of firm saw definite easing, whilst close to 8% were not affected.
Click below for the full press release:
MNI_Chicago_Press_Release_2022-03.pdf