Index Shows Midwest Economic Growth Picked Up in December
Led by continued strength in the manufacturing sector, the Midwest Economy Index (MEI) increased to +0.67 in December from +0.43 in November. However, the relative MEI fell to +0.21 in December from +0.70 in November. December’s value for the relative MEI indicates that Midwest economic growth was somewhat higher than would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy.