The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer fell to 44.5 in February from 51.5 in January, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Friday.
Economists polled by IFR Markets predicted a 50.0 reading for the indicator.
The prices paid index slipped to 79.4 from 81.7. The employment index decreased to 33.5 from 47.0; and the new orders index climbed to 48.8 from 44.7.