Chicago Business Barometer™ & Research

Chicago Business Barometer^™ & Research

Monthly Survey - Chicago Business Barometer^™

The ISM Chicago Business Survey, is a regional view of the national economy; is a time-tested, market-moving report. The Chicago Report^™ is available to subscribers on the last working day each month. The Chicago Business Barometer^™ summarizes current Business Activity. The Barometer is considered to be a leading indicator of the U.S.A. economy.

For more than seven decades, the Chicago Business Barometer^™ has been providing leading insight on the U.S. economy. The Chicago Business Barometer^™ is delivered to subscribers via the MNI Chicago Report^™, a monthly report published by MNI Indicators that presents valuable information on the U.S. economic activity and a fresh look at current U.S. business conditions. The report consists of seven Business Activity indicators and three Buying Policy indicators that represent activity and preformance levels compared to the prior month.

Purchasing and Supply Management professionals in the Chicago area, primarily members of ISM Chicago, are polled to assess business conditions for their respective companies every month.

For more information about the Chicago Business Barometer^™ and MNI Indicators products, please contact martindanielb@yahoo.com.

Periodically, ISM Chicago may invite our members and community to participate in additional research.

April - Chicago Business Barometer^™

The Chicago Business Barometer^™ slipped 3.0 points to 44.6 in April. This more than reverses March's 2.1 point rise, but still leaves the index above January 39.5 reading. The index has been in contraction for seventeen consecutive months.

The decrease was driven by a pull-back in New Orders and Production, and to a lesser extent Supplier Deliveries. Order Backlogs and Employment rose relative to March.

March special question asked: "What are you doing as a result of the tariff uncertainty? (Answer all that apply). Majority 32% answered "Temporary surcharges" and "Unknown", 29% responded "Hiring freeze", with 21% of respondents reporting "Switching Suppliers". 29% of respondents selected "Other", with a focus on monitoring risk and customers asking for more domestic products.

Released April 30, 2025.

Read the Press Release

In Times of Uncertainty, Bet on Your People and Innovate

Focus on these four things to survive chaotic times.

In uncertain economic times and disruption caused by new technologies such as AI, research shows that's when companies should double down on upskilling and training their workforce, look for ways to innovate and engage in scenario planning to prepare for industry shifts, writes Raghu Krishnaiah, the chief operating officer at University of Phoenix. "Companies that prepare for multiple scenarios will fare better than those that simple wait to react," writes Krishnaiah.

Full Story: Chief Executive (03/21)

The Reshoring Institute asked 18 executives how they are responding to tariffs: Here is what they said

Overall, the executive's in a holding pattern until the tariffs and the economy stabilize, while many are considering alternative strategies

The Reshoring Institute asked 18 executives how they are responding to tariffs, with most saying they are in a holding pattern until more clarity emerges.

Full Story: Supply Chain Management Review (04/22)

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