Chicago Manufacturing Index Improves

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region improved in June but continued to show contraction, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Monday.

NAPM-Chicago’s monthly index improved to a reading of 49.6, from 49.1 in May. Figures lower than 50 signal contraction, while above that signal growth.

Economists had expected the index to fall to a reading of 48, Bloomberg reported.

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