The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the United States jumped sharply in January 2026, rising to 54.0 from 42.7 in December 2025, according to data updated on 30 January 2026. The move takes the index back above the 50-point threshold that typically separates contraction from expansion in business activity.
The December 2025 reading of 42.7 had signaled a notable downturn in Chicago-area manufacturing and related business conditions. January’s rebound to 54.0 suggests a marked improvement in regional economic momentum at the start of 2026, pointing to stronger orders, production, or sentiment among purchasing managers.
While the Chicago PMI reflects conditions in a single U.S. region rather than the entire country, the sharp month-on-month turnaround will likely be watched closely by investors and policymakers as a potential early sign of stabilizing or strengthening manufacturing activity.
