Chicago Fed: MMI Falls in November

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index decreased 1.6% in November, to a seasonally adjusted level of 96.4. Revised data shows the index decreased 1.2% in October, to 98.0.

The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing decreased 1.5% in November. Regional output in November was down 10.8% from a year earlier — lower than the 7.3% decrease in national output.

Three of the four regional industry sectors decreased in November — regional steel sector output declined 4.3%; regional machinery sector output moved down 2.0%; regional resource sector output decreased 1.9%; and regional auto sector production moved up 1.1%.

The region’s steel sector output declined 4.3% in November for the second consecutive month. The nation’s steel output was down 3.6% in November. Regional steel output dropped 14.1% from its November 2007 level, and the national steel output declined 11.4%.

The Midwest’s machinery sector output moved down 2.0% in November after decreasing 1.7% in October. The nation’s machinery output moved down 1.6% in November. Regional machinery output in November was 6.6% below year-earlier levels, while national machinery output was down 2.6%.

The Midwest resource sector’s output decreased 1.9% in November after rising 2.3% in October. All of the five subsectors of the resource sector — food, chemical, paper, wood, and nonmetallic mineral production — decreased from October to November. The national resource sector’s output was down 2.1% in November. Compared with a year ago, regional resource output was down 4.8% in November, and the national resource output declined 5.3%.

The Midwest’s auto sector production moved up 1.1% in November after falling 3.6% in October. The nation’s auto output increased 1.5% in November. The Midwest’s automotive output was down 24.0% in November relative to its year-ago value, and the nation’s auto output was down 15.7% 

 

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