Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region contracted in February for a fifth straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.
ISM-Chicago’s monthly index increased to a reading of 34.2, from 33.3 in January. Figures lower than 50 signal contraction, while above that signal growth.
Economists had expected the index to fall to a reading of 33.3, Bloomberg reported.
Chicago is a major center of U.S. manufacturing, which is one of trucking’s largest and most important customers.
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