Chicago Factory Index Shows Continued Contraction

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago declined in April, showing contraction for a seventh straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index fell to a reading of 34.9, from 40.1 in March.

Figures lower than 50 signal contraction, while above that signal growth.

Economists had expected the index to rise to a reading of 42, Bloomberg reported.

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