The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) decreased 0.9 percent in April, to a seasonally adjusted level of 83.6 (2007 = 100). Revised data show the index increased 1.5 percent in March to 84.4. The Federal Reserve Board's industrial production index for manufacturing (IPMFG) decreased 0.5 percent in April. Regional output in April rose 8.6 percent from a year earlier, and national output increased 5.0 percent.

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The region's auto sector production declined 5.0 percent in April after rising 3.3 percent in March. National auto output decreased 3.1 percent in April. The Midwest's automotive output was up 8.6 percent in April relative to its year-ago level, and national automotive output was up 5.3 percent.

The region's steel sector output decreased 0.3 percent in April after increasing 2.8 percent in the previous month. The nation's steel output also decreased 0.3 percent in April. Regional steel output was up 17.5 percent from its April 2010 level, and national steel output was up 10.4 percent.

The Midwest resource sector's output increased 0.4 percent in April after a 0.2 percent gain in the previous month. The national resource sector's output rose 0.5 percent in April. The food, chemical, and nonmetallic subsectors of the regional resource sector increased from March to April, while the wood and paper subsectors decreased. Compared with a year ago, regional resource output was up 2.7 percent in April and national resource output was up 2.4 percent.

The Midwest's machinery sector production improved 1.0 percent in April after moving up 1.4 percent in March. The nation's machinery production increased 0.5 percent in April. Regional machinery output in April was up 14.3 percent from its year-earlier level, and national machinery output was up 9.8 percent.