The Investor
31 Aug 2026, 14:38
Chicago PMI Plunges to 47.1 in August, Signaling Renewed Contraction
Business activity in the Chicago region deteriorated sharply in August, with the Chicago PMI falling to 47.1 from 57.6 in July. The reading was far below the 57.8 market forecast and dropped beneath the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction.
The 10.5-point monthly decline pushed the Chicago Business Barometer into contraction territory for the first time since April and to its lowest level since December.
Business activity in the Chicago region deteriorated sharply in August, with the Chicago PMI falling to 47.1 from 57.6 in July. The reading was far below the 57.8 market forecast and dropped beneath the 50 threshold that separates expansion from contraction.
The 10.5-point monthly decline pushed the Chicago Business Barometer into contraction territory for the first time since April and to its lowest level since December.
