Econintersect: The Chicago Purchasing Manager’s Index grew in Febuary 2011 to its highest level since July 1988, indicating expansion for the seventeenth consecutive month. Highlights of the report:
- NEW ORDERS nudged upward, still at the highest level since December 1983;
- ORDER BACKLOGS reached its highest point since July 1994;
- EMPLOYMENT continued to show expansion;
- Lead times reported for PRODUCTION MATERIEL, MRO SUPPLIES and CAPITAL EQUIPMENT all lengthened.
