Chemical Activity Barometer Halts Growth Trend

Seasonal factors from an unusual winter across the country have likely skewed statistical reporting from government agencies despite attempts to adjust for them. Nonetheless, the pace of economic expansion continues to moderate from the fourth quarter of 2013, according to the American Chemistry Council's (ACC) monthly Chemical Activity Barometer (CAB).
 
The economic indicator, shown to lead US business cycles by an average of eight months at cycle peaks, was flat in February, ending nine consecutive monthly gains on a three-month moving average (3MMA) basis. The barometer is up 2.1% over a year ago, also a slower growth pace on a year/year basis. The CAB reading for December 2013 and January 2014 were revised upwards slightly from earlier reports.

Overall results in the four primary components of the CAB were mixed, with product/selling prices and inventories flat, while equity prices were up and production was down. Swift noted that weekly production-related indicators for February were down most likely due to the recent adverse weather.

“Economic data for December, January and February are certainly skewed by recent weather events such as the polar vortex that engulfed much of the country,” said Kevin Swift, chief economist at the American Chemistry Council. “It will take some time before the data reflect normalcy, but we know concretely that chemical equity prices strengthened in February and are outpacing that of the broader market which is very encouraging,” he added.