The Chicago Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) has decreased to 36.9, lower than the forecast of 42.7, indicating a stronger than expected decline in the manufacturing sector of the region.

The Chicago PMI is an important indicator used to assess manufacturing health in the Midwest of the United States. A level below 50 signals a contraction, while a level above 50 indicates expansion.

Although this suggests ongoing economic weakness in various areas of the United States, it is not necessarily the cause of the recent market adjustment. The U.S. stock market continues to decline in the final trading days of the year, likely due to fund managers locking in profits at year-end to protect their bonuses.