2026.04.2312:37:19UTC+00US Economic Activity Weakens in March

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index (CFNAI) fell to -0.20 in March 2026—its weakest reading since November 2025—from a revised +0.03 in February. Three of the index’s four broad categories deteriorated: production-related indicators contributed -0.20 (down from +0.13), sales, orders, and inventories contributed -0.01 (down from +0.05), and personal consumption and housing also contributed -0.01 (from 0.00). Employment-related indicators were the only area of improvement, contributing +0.02 in March after -0.15 in February.