US DATA: Nov Chicago PM index 62.6 vs 58.4 Oct, now at its highest
in seven mos and marking a 26th month of expansion. Four of 7 Business
Activity indexes gained. New Orders 70.2, an 8-mo high, vs 61.3.
Production 67.3 vs 63.4. But Employment 56.9 vs 62.3. Prices paid -5.8
pts to 60.2, a 14-mo low and down for a 9th month. Comments: “Just
starting to see commodity costs come down, copper/aluminum. Some prices
are beginning to drop due to lower market demand for key chemical
commodities. There is still pressure in ethanol due to limited supply of
feedstocks, yet the overall picture has eased in the last month and is
expected to continue easing. Annual discussions about price have the
standard push for increases, most of which are not supported by reality
from their respective marketplaces. This is particularly true on steel
and paper.”