Chicago Manufacturing Level Falls, but Continues Expansion

November 30, 2005 11:00 AM, EST

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he growth rate of manufacturing activity in the Chicago area fell in November, but manufacturing continued to expand, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Wednesday.

APM’s business barometer fell to 61.7 from 62.9 in October, the group said. The November level exceeded economists’ forecasts a reading of 60, Bloomberg reported.

Readings above 50 signal expansion. The survey’s reading contracted in August with a 49.2 level; before that, it had risen for 27 consecutive months.

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