Chicago Manufacturing Index Drops

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region declined in July, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Tuesday.

NAPM-Chicago’s monthly index dropped to 53.4 from 60.2 in June, the group said. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

Economists had expected the index to fall 58.4, Bloomberg reported.

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