Chicago Manufacturing Index Rises

An index of manufacturing activity in the Chicago area increased in February, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Wednesday.

The group’s business index climbed to a reading of 64, from 60.2 in January. Readings over 50 signal expansion.

Economists had forecast the gauge would rise to 61, Bloomberg reported.

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