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Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region improved this month, but continued to show contraction, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Wednesday.

NAPM-Chicago’s monthly index rose to a reading of 48.3, from 48.2 in March. Figures lower than 50 signal contraction.

Economists had expected the index to fall to 47.5, Bloomberg reported.

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