The Institute for Supply Management released its Chicago purchasing managers' index on Friday. The Chicago purchasing managers' index climbed to 56.2 in October from 48.7 in September, exceeding expectations for an increase to 49.0. It was the highest reading since January.

A reading above the 50 mark indicates expansion, a reading below 50 indicates contraction.

The increase was driven by a rise in production and in new orders. The production index rose to 63.4 in October from 43.6 in September, while the new orders index was up to 59.4 from 49.5.

The employment index fell to 50.6 in October from 52.3 in September.

"The disappointing September data look more like an aberration than the start of a trend, and the October results mark a good start to the final quarter of the year. Respondents were optimistic that orders will continue to pick-up, consistent with an acceleration in economic activity in Q4," Chief Economist of MNI Indicators Philip Uglow said.