It's The Economy Stupid: Still Not So Good

Chicago Fed U.S. National Activity Index for March

 

U.S. economic activity fell in March, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.  The Chicago Fed national index, which draws on 85

economic indicators, was -0.23 in March versus 0.76 in February. A reading below zero indicates below-trend-growth in the national economy and a sign of easing pressures on future inflation.

 

“Below-trend-growth” is economic speak for “not so good”.

    

Among the economic indicators the index draws upon are the Fed’s report on industrial production and capacity utilization, the Labor Department’s report on employment and the Institute for Supply Management’s manufacturing index.