Index Shows Midwest Growth Slowed Further in September
Growth in Midwest economic activity slowed further in September, as indicated by the MEI declining to –0.07 from +0.12 in August. September marked the first month the MEI indicated regional growth below its historical trend since March 2010. The Midwest, however, continued to outperform the nation, with the relative MEI still positive at +0.52 in September, but down from +0.71 in the previous month.