Chicago Manufacturing Index Increases

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region contracted in February for a fifth straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index increased to a reading of 34.2, from 33.3 in January. Figures lower than 50 signal contraction, while above that signal growth.

Economists had expected the index to fall to a reading of 33.3, Bloomberg reported.

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