Chicago PMI Tumbles in February

Chicago, IL, Feb. 27, 2015 -- The February reading of the Chicago Purchasing Managers Index declined to a five-and-a-half year low of 45.8.

That was down from a reading of 59.4 in January. Readings below 50 indicated contraction.

There were double-digit decreases in production, new orders, order backlogs and employments.