Index Shows Midwest Economic Growth Picked Up in February
Led by gains in the manufacturing sector, the Midwest Economy Index (MEI) increased to +0.35 in February from +0.19 in January. February marked the fifth consecutive month that Midwest economic growth has been above its historical trend. In addition, Midwest growth continued to outperform national growth, as the relative MEI was also +0.35 in February, up from +0.28 in the previous month.