Index Suggests Slower, but Still Above-Trend Midwest Growth Through December
The Midwest Economy Index (MEI), which approximates quarterly growth at a monthly frequency, fell to +1.26 in December from +1.83 in November. Contributions to the December MEI from three of the four broad sectors of nonfarm business activity and all five Seventh Federal Reserve District states decreased from November. The relative MEI moved down to +1.58 in December from +1.91 in November. Contributions to the December relative MEI from two of the four sectors and three of the five states decreased from November.