U.S. Economy Brightened in February — Chicago Fed
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The U.S. economy showed signs of improvement in February, according to the Chicago Fed. The Chicago Fed National Activity Index increased to 0.05 in February from -0.54 in January. All four categories covered by the index improved, with three making a positive contribution. Production, sales, orders and inventories, and employment all turned slightly positive. Personal consumption and housing made a neutral contribution. However, the index's three-month moving average suggested more subdued activity. The CFNAI diffusion index, which measures the spread of change in the monthly index over three months, fell to -0.09. Economic expansion is historically associated with values of the CFNAI Diffusion Index above -0.35.