The Chicago Purchasing Managers' Business Barometer rose to 55.6 in February from 55.6 in January, the National Association of Purchasing Management-Chicago said Thursday.
The data is compiled on a seasonally adjusted basis. An index reading below 50 signals a slowing economy, while a level above 50 suggests expansion.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters predicted a 54.5 reading for the index.
The production index dipped to 60.2 from 60.9, the new orders index increased to 60.2 from 58.2, the order backlogs grew to 50.9 from 46.6 in the prior survey and inventories fell to 50.1 from 55.0. The employment index fell to 55.7 from 58.0; and the supplier deliveries index was at 50.3, up from 49.9 last month. The prices paid index rose to 61.8 from 60.7.
