Index Shows Midwest Economic Growth Increased in July
Led by continued strength in the manufacturing sector, the Midwest Economy Index (MEI) increased to +0.62 in July from +0.56 in June. The relative MEI increased to +0.29 in July from –0.01 in the previous month, marking its first positive reading since February 2014. July’s value for the relative MEI indicates that Midwest economic growth was higher than would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy.