Chicago Manufacturing Index Slows in October

October 31, 2006 10:00 AM, EST

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he National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago’s manufacturing index rose at its slowest pace in more than a year in October, Bloomberg said Tuesday.

The index fell to 53.5 from 62.1 in September. Readings above 50 signal expansion.

Economists had expected the index to fall to 58, Bloomberg reported.

The association’s production index dropped to 59.2 from 67.4, while the new orders index fell to 54.1 from 67.3.

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