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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. 

 

 

December - Chicago Business Barometer™

The Chicago Business Barometer™ slipped 3.3 points to 36.9 in December.  This is the third consecutive monthly decline, with the index at its lowest since May 2024, and below the 2024 average.       

The decline was primarily driven by a fall in New Orders, with Production also lower.  Increases in Employment, Supplier Deliveries and Order Backlogs, restricted the downward move.    

December special question asked: "With potential tariff increases in the coming months, is your business taking any of the following pre-cautions/considerations?"  (Participants were able to select one or more).  The top two answers were Increasing Inventories over 50%, Looking into on-shoring above 40%.  

 

Released December 30, 2024.

    

Press Release

 

Top Supply Chain Risks to Watch in 2025 and How to Mitigate Them  

 

From China-U.S. tension to extreme weather here's how businesses can adapt 

In 2025, supply chains face risks from forced labor regulations, cyber threats, and geopolitical tensions, driving the need for proactive strategies. 

 

Full Story: Supply Chain Management Review (11/27)

  

View Article

 

 

 

What the Best Leadership Teams Do Right 

 

Whan an executive team is effective, everyone in an organization knows they're going, what part they play, and are confident in and committed to the people they're going with.

Full Story: HBR (11/27) 

View Article

Special Question - December

A special question in December asked: With potential tariff increases in the coming months, is your business taking any of the following precautions/considerations?

See breakout of responses in graph.