Chicago Manufacturing Index Rises for July

July 31, 2006 9:20 AM, EDT

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he National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago’s manufacturing index expanded in July, the group said Monday.

The index rose to 57.9 from 56.5 in June. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

The association’s production index climbed to 64.1 from 54.6, while the new orders index rose to 60 from 57.2, which had been the lowest since February.

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