MW: Chicago manufacturing index declines in December
By Jeffry Bartash
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - A gauge that measures business activity in the Chicago region fell in December but remained quite strong. The Chicago Business Barometer or MNI index dropped to 59.1% from 63% in November. Economists surveyed by MarketWatch had expected the Chicago PMI to fall to 61.0%. Still, any reading above 50 indicates expansion. The index has been above the 50% mark for eight straight months.
