Chicago Business Activity Slows Further in February, Adds to Gloomy Outlook Ahead of National Data

• Chicago Business Barometer fell to 44 in February from 46 in January • Index is far below November's 55.6 reading, which was highest since May 2022 • Index produced by ISM-Chicago with MNI; released to subscribers 3 minutes before public • Chicago data last of regional Fed manufacturing surveys before national ISM data on Thursday • Economists expect national IMF factory index to rise to 49.5% in February from 49.1 in January