The Chicago Purchasing Managers’ Business Barometer rose to an expansionary 50.8 in July from 49.6 in June, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said yesterday.
Economists polled by IFR Markets predicted a 49.0 reading for the indicator.
The prices paid index grew to 90.7 from 85.5. The employment index decreased to 45.9 from 46.7; and the new orders index rose to 53.5 from 52.0. The supplier deliveries index was at 60.8, up from 58.8 last month.