The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) strengthened in February 2026, rising to 57.7 from 54.0 in January, according to data updated on 27 February 2026. The move keeps the index comfortably above the 50-point threshold that separates expansion from contraction, pointing to a further pickup in business activity across the U.S. Midwest.
The increase from January’s 54.0 suggests improving conditions for manufacturers and service providers in the Chicago region, often viewed as a barometer for broader U.S. economic momentum. A reading of 57.7 indicates that companies are seeing stronger orders and production levels compared with the prior month.
Investors and economists will be watching whether this upward trend in the Chicago PMI continues in coming months, as it may reinforce expectations of resilient regional growth and help shape views on the broader U.S. economic outlook in early 2026.
