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Manufacturing activity in the Chicago area rose in November, the Institute for Supply Management-Chicago said Wednesday.

The group’s business index rose to a reading of 62.6, from 58.4 in October. Readings over 50 signal expansion.

Economists had forecast the gauge would drop to 58.5, Bloomberg reported.

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