Index Shows Midwest Economic Growth Remained Above Average in November

Last week, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago released November 2014 figures for its Midwest Economy Index (MEI). The MEI is a weighted average of 129 indicators designed to measure non-farm business activity in the Midwest (IL, IN, MI, WI, IA).

The overall MEI increased from +0.36 to +0.52 in November and remained above average for the eighth straight month. The relative MEI also increased, from +0.33 in October to +0.72 in November. November’s positive relative MEI value indicates that the Midwest economy grew at a rate higher than would typically be suggested by the growth rate of the national economy.

Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin made positive overall contributions to the MEI in November. In Illinois, the manufacturing, consumer spending, services, and construction sectors all made positive contributions. This factored into the state’s overall positive contribution of +0.22, a decrease over last month’s +0.24. The following chart illustrates contributions to the MEI by sector for Illinois and the Midwest as a whole.

The following chart illustrates five-year trend lines for the MEI and Relative MEI indexes. The MEI captures both national and regional factors driving Midwest growth, and the relative MEI provides a picture of Midwest growth conditions relative to those of the nation.

Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Please refer to the Chicago Federal Reserve Bank press release for more information.

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Chaired by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, World Business Chicago is the public-private partnership leading the Plan for Economic Growth and Jobs in order to drive business development, cultivate talent, and put Chicago at the forefront of the global economy.

WBC’s “Economic Briefs” track indicators from month to month to gauge the strength of several aspects of Chicago’s economy, including unemployment, population, venture capital, job openings and new hires, home sales, tourism, etc. This data provides a clear analytic framework for specific Plan strategies and initiatives. For a summary of these and other economic indicators, refer to WBC’s monthly Chicago By The Numbers.