A reading on Chicago-area business activity increased by more than expected in the month of October but continued to indicate contraction, according to a report released by MNI Indicators on Friday.
The report said the Chicago business barometer climbed to 43.8 in October after slipping to 40.6 in September. While economists had expected the index to show a more modest increase to 42.3, a reading below 50 still indicates contraction.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.