91ÊÓƵ

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region declined in May but showed expansion for an eighth straight month, the Institute for Supply Chain Management-Chicago said Friday.

ISM-Chicago’s monthly index fell to a reading of 59.7, from 63.8 in April. Figures of over 50 signal expansion, while below 50 indicate contraction.

The reading was below economists’ estimates of a decline to 61, Bloomberg reported.

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