Chicago Manufacturing Index Declines

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region showed contraction in March for a sixth straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index fell to a reading of 31.4, from 34.2 in February. Figures lower than 50 signal contraction, while above that signal growth.

Economists had expected the index to rise to a reading of 34.3, Bloomberg reported.

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