ZeroHedge – Markets

'Soft' Data Soars To 2-Year Highs As Chicago PMI Smashes Expectations

The Market News International Chicago Business Barometer posted a 57.7 reading, the strongest level since May 2022 and well above analyst forecasts. This marks the second consecutive month the index has stayed above the 50‑point expansion threshold. Core components such as new orders, employment, production and supplier deliveries accelerated, while prices paid rose at the fastest pace. Meanwhile, inventories and order backlogs contracted, highlighting a mixed‑signal environment as soft‑data reaches a two‑year high despite softer hard‑data trends.