Chicago Manufacturing Index Falls

An index of manufacturing activity in the Chicago area decreased in March, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Friday.

The group’s business index declined to a reading of 62.2, from 64 in February. Readings over 50 signal expansion.

Economists had forecast the gauge would fall to 63, Bloomberg reported.

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