The U.S. economy showed signs of strengthening at the start of 2026, with the Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) rising to 0.18 in January 2026 from a slightly negative reading of -0.04 recorded in November 2025.
The move into positive territory suggests that overall economic activity is now running modestly above its historical trend, marking an improvement from late 2025 when conditions were essentially flat. The CFNAI, a composite measure derived from a broad range of economic indicators, is closely watched for early signals on the trajectory of U.S. growth.
The updated data, released on 23 February 2026, indicate that momentum has picked up heading into the new year, potentially easing some concerns about a slowdown that emerged late last year. Investors and policymakers will be monitoring upcoming monthly readings to assess whether this improvement proves durable.
