Chicago Manufacturing Index Slips

An index of manufacturing activity in the Chicago area dipped in December but showed continued expansion, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Thursday.

The group’s business index slipped to a reading of 62.5, from 62.6 in November. Readings over 50 signal expansion.

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

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