December 28, 2006 10:30 AM, EST

Chicago Manufacturing Index Rises in December

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he National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago’s manufacturing index rose to a 52.4 reading in December, NAPM said Thursday.

The index rose from November’s 49.9 reading, the group said. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

Economists had expected the index to rise to 50, Bloomberg reported.

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