Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region improved in June but continued to show contraction, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Monday.
NAPM-Chicago’s monthly index improved to a reading of 49.6, from 49.1 in May. Figures lower than 50 signal contraction, while above that signal growth.
Economists had expected the index to fall to a reading of 48, Bloomberg reported.
Chicago is a major center of U.S. manufacturing, which is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.