Chicago Manufacturing Index Gains

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region rose in September, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Friday.

NAPM-Chicago’s monthly index rose to 54.2 from a 53.8 reading in August, the group said. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

Economists had expected the index to fall 53, Bloomberg reported.

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