Chicago-area business activity unexpectedly contracted in the month of September, according to a report released by MNI Indicators on Friday.
MNI Indicators said its Chicago business barometer slumped to 45.7 in September from 52.2 in August, with a reading below 50 indicating contraction. Economists had expected the business barometer to edge down to 51.8.
With the much bigger than expected decrease, the Chicago business barometer entered contraction territory for the first time since June 2020.
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Forex News
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.