The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) decreased 0.3% in December to a seasonally adjusted level of 84.1 (2002 = 100). Revised data show the index increased 1.0% in November to 84.4. The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing (IPMFG) was unchanged in December. Regional output in December declined 6.4% from a year earlier, and national output decreased 1.4%.

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The Midwest resource sector’s output moved down 1.0% in December after rising 1.3% in November. The national resource sector’s output was unchanged in December. Three of the five subsectors of the regional resource sector – food, paper, and nonmetallic production – decreased from November to December, while wood and chemical production increased. Compared with a year ago, regional resource output was up 4.6% in December, and national resource output was up 5.8%.

Regional auto sector production edged down 0.2% in December after increasing 0.6% in November. The nation’s auto output rose 0.3% in December. The Midwest’s automotive output was down 8.8% in December relative to its year-ago level, and the nation’s auto output was down 3.5%.

The Midwest’s machinery sector output moved up 0.6% in December after decreasing 0.5% in November. The nation’s machinery output increased 1.2% in December. Regional machinery output in December was 15.8% below year-earlier levels, and national machinery output was down 3.8%.

The region’s steel sector output increased 1.3% in December after rising 2.5% in November. The nation’s steel output was up 0.7% in December. Regional steel output dropped 13.9% from its December 2008 level, and national steel output fell 9.5%