Chicago Manufacturing Index Rises in July

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region grew in July, showing expansion for the tenth straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index increased to a reading of 62.3, from 59.1 in June, the group said. Figures more than 50 signal expansion, while below that level indicates contraction.

The reading was higher than economists’ estimates, Bloomberg reported.

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