March 31, 2006 11:00 AM, EST

Chicago Manufacturing Index Shows Strong Gain

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he growth rate of Chicago-area manufacturing activity increased in March, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Friday.

APM’s Chicago-area business gauge jumped to 60.4 from 54.9 in February, which had been the lowest level since August. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

The March level exceeded economists’ forecasts of a rise to a 57 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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