The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index (CFMMI) increased 1.2% in November, to a seasonally adjusted level of 84.2 (2002 = 100). Revised data show the index rose 0.8% in October to 83.2.

 

The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing (IPMFG) was up by 1.1% in November. Regional output in November declined 10% from a year earlier, and national output decreased 4.4%.

 

 All four regional industry sectors increased in November:

• Regional steel sector output rose 2.5%;

• Regional auto sector production increased 1.1%;

• Regional resource sector output grew 0.9%; and

• Regional machinery sector output moved up 0.7%.

 

The region’s steel sector output rose 2.5% in November after ticking up 0.1% in October. The nation’s steel output was up 1.1% in November. Regional steel output dropped 21.1% from its November 2008 level, and national steel output fell 14.3%.

 

Regional auto sector production increased 1.1% in November after rising 1.5% in October. The nation’s auto output increased 0.9% in November. The Midwest’s automotive output was down 9.5% in November relative to its year-ago value, and the nation’s auto output was down 3.4%.

 

The Midwest resource sector’s output rose 0.9% in November after increasing 0.4% in October. The national resource sector’s output was up 1.2% in November. Four of the five subsectors of the regional resource sector – paper, wood, chemical, and nonmetallic production – increased from October to November, while food production decreased. Compared with a year ago, regional resource output was down 0.1% in November, and national resource output was up 1.8%.

 

The Midwest’s machinery sector output moved up 0.7% in November after increasing 1.2% in October. The nation’s machinery output edged up 0.2% in November. Regional machinery output in November was 19.6% below year-earlier levels, and national machinery output was down 8.0%.