Chicago Manufacturing Level Falls, but Continues Expansion

he growth rate of manufacturing activity in the Chicago area fell in November, but manufacturing continued to expand, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Wednesday.

APM’s business barometer fell to 61.7 from 62.9 in October, the group said. The November level exceeded economists’ forecasts a reading of 60, Bloomberg reported.

Readings above 50 signal expansion. The survey’s reading contracted in August with a 49.2 level; before that, it had risen for 27 consecutive months.