Chicago Manufacturing Index Improves

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region saw a modest gain in August, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Friday.

NAPM-Chicago’s monthly index rose to 53.8 from 53.4 in July, the group said. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

Economists had expected the index to fall 53, Bloomberg reported.

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