April 28, 2006 11:00 AM, EDT

Chicago Manufacturing Index Slows in April

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

APM’s Chicago-area business gauge fell to 57.2 from 60.4 in March, the group said. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

The April level was below economists’ forecasts of a 58 reading, Bloomberg reported.

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