The Midwest Economy Index (MEI) edged up to –0.44 in December from –0.48 in November. Contributions to the December MEI from three of the four broad sectors of nonfarm business activity and two of the five Seventh Federal Reserve District states increased from November. The relative MEI moved down to –0.13 in December from –0.08 in November. Contributions to the December relative MEI from three of the four sectors and three of the five states decreased from November.