June 30, 2005 10:15 AM, EDT

Chicago Manufacturing Activity Declines in June

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anufacturing activity in the Chicago area decreased in June, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Thursday.

NAPM’s business barometer fell to 53.6 from 54.1 in May, the group said. Economists had predicted the Chicago index would fall slightly to 54, Bloomberg reported.

Readings above 50 signal expansion and the June level was the 26th consecutive month of continued growth in the region.

Chicago is a major center of U.S. manufacturing, which is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.