Index Points to a Pickup in Midwest Growth Through March
The Midwest Economy Index (MEI), which approximates quarterly growth at a monthly frequency, increased to +0.65 in March from +0.50 in February. Contributions to the March MEI from two of the four broad sectors of nonfarm business activity and three of the five Seventh Federal Reserve District states increased from February. The relative MEI rose to +1.28 in March from +0.55 in February. Contributions to the March relative MEI from three of the four sectors and four of the five states increased from February.