The latest reading on business activity in Chicago is set for release at 9:45 a.m. ET.
Economists estimate that the purchasing manager's index rose to 50.7 from 47.6 in the prior month, according to Bloomberg.
The business barometer came in weaker than expected last month, showing that manufacturers were still under pressure.
This reading comes ahead of the ISM manufacturing PMI for March on Friday.
In a preview, Bank of America Merrill Lynch economists wrote, "The index has been quite choppy for the last half year, and the 8pt drop last month looked particularly outsized. As a result, we would expect some positive payback this month. An increase above the breakeven level would echo improvements in other regional surveys, suggesting healthier, albeit still sluggish, national conditions."
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