U.S. Chicago Fed National Activity Index

Chicago Fed National Activity Index is used to assess economic activity and inflationary pressure within the country. The index is based on 85 different monthly indicators. Positive readings of this index correspond to economic growth above the trend. Negative readings mean the economy is lagging behind the growth trend during this particular month.
United States Chicago Fed National Activity Index
In May 2017, the index was equal to -0.26, which means the United States’ economy was growing at a slower pace than the general trend. One month earlier the metric was equal to 0.57, which corresponds to above the trend growth. In the period between 1967 and 2017 monthly readings of the United States Chicago Fed National Activity Index averaged 0, which can easily be explained by the fact that in the long run national economies have to follow the general trend. An all-time high value of 2.73 was reached in September 1983, while a record low of -5.1 was witnessed in December 1974.