Chicago Factory Index Slips, But Continues to Show Expansion

Manufacturing activity levels in the Chicago region declined this month but continued to show expansion this month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Wednesday.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index fell to a reading of 58.8, from 62.6 in February. Figures over 50 signal expansion, while below 50 indicate contraction.

The reading was below economists’ estimates of 61 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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