Chicago PMI Falls in February

Chicago, IL, February 28, 2007 -- The Chicago Purchasing Managers Index fell to 47.9 in February from 48.8 in January, suggesting a contraction in regional growth.

Economists were forecasting a reading of 50.

Among the index's individual components, the prices paid index rose to 63.2 in February from 54.9 a month earlier. New orders rose to 48.7 from 46.3, while the employment index climbed to 50.6 from 42.8.