Cambridge Lions

Chicago-area manufacturing grows for 23rd straight month versus forecasts for a slowdown.
March 31, 2005: 10:36 AM EST

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Business activity in the Midwest expanded in March for a 23rd straight month, and at a faster rate than expected, a report showed on Thursday.

The National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago business barometer rose to 69.2 from 62.7 in February. Economists had forecast the index at 61.0. A reading above 50 indicates expansion in the sector.

The employment component of the index rose to 66.0 from 57.7 in February. Prices paid eased to 68.2 from 70.1 and new orders rose to 76.7 from 68.5.

For the latest economic reports, click here

This entry was posted on Friday, April 1st, 2005 at 3:01 am and is filed under AP News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.