The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago's National Activity Index (CFNAI) was unchanged at  -0.19 in March. This reading came in weaker than the market expectation of -0.02. 

“Three of the four broad categories of indicators used to construct the index made negative contributions in March, and two categories deteriorated from February. The index’s three-month moving average, CFNAI-MA3, increased to 0.01 in March from –0.09 in February,” the Chicago Fed noted in its publication. 

“The CFNAI Diffusion Index, which is also a three-month moving average, edged up to 0.14 in March from 0.10 in February. Forty-three of the 85 individual indicators made positive contributions to the CFNAI in March, while 42 made negative contributions. Forty-five indicators improved from February to March, while 40 indicators deteriorated. Of the indicators that improved, 13 made negative contributions.”