The Chicago Business Barometer softened to 59.6 in January from a revised 60.8 in December, the third consecutive monthly fall following October’s jump to the highest since March 2011. In spite of January’s slower rate of expansion, the Barometer remained fi rm and consistent with the recent pick - up in GDP. Declines in Employment and Supplier Deliveries led the Barometer lower, with Employment slipping into contraction for the first time in nine months. Production, New Orders and Order Backlogs increased sl ightly, having fallen for the past two months. The Employment component fell sharply for the second ... (full story)