Chicago Fed Index Turns Positive in September

The Chicago Fed National Activity Index rose to 0.07 in September from a revised -0.08 in August, unexpectedly exceeding forecasts of -0.10 and indicating activity above its historical trend rate. Production and sales, orders and inventories strengthened, employment made a neutral contribution, and personal consumption and housing weakened; the index’s three-month average edged up to 0.03 from 0.01.