Chicago Manufacturing Index Improves

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region showed expansion in December, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago reported Wednesday.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index climbed to a reading of 60, from 56.1 in November. Figures over 50 signal expansion, while below 50 indicate contraction.

The reading exceeded economists’ estimates of a drop to 55.1, Bloomberg reported. The new orders index rose to the highest level in two years.

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