The Institute Supply Management's Chicago Purchasing Managers reported Friday that the Chicago Business Barometer fell to 49.7 in September, the lowest reading in three years. Among the seven business activity measures, five posted declines as new orders fell below 50 and order backlogs contracted for the fourth time in the last five months.
Meanwhile, prices paid showed the biggest gain in nearly two years and supplier deliveries moved back above 50. The employment reading was at a two and a half year low and the three month moving averages for new orders, order backlogs and supplier deliveries were at the lowest level since mid-2009.