Source: Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago  

Release: Chicago Fed Midwest Economy Index  

Units:  Index Standard Deviation, Seasonally Adjusted

Frequency:  Monthly

This series represents the contributions of Iowa to the Midwest Economy Index (MEI). This series is the weighted average of state variables measuring the growth in nonfarm business activity based on indicators of four broad sectors of the Iowa's economy: 1) manufacturing, 2) construction and mining, 3) services, and 4) consumer spending.

A zero value represents an average contribution to the MEI by the state of Iowa, whereas a positive value indicates that an above-average contribution to MEI; and negative values indicate below-average contribution to MEI.

For further information about the Midwest Economy Index, go to http://midwest.chicagofedblogs.org/archives/2011/03/mei_by_scott_br.html and http://chicagofed.org/digital_assets/publications/chicago_fed_letter/2010/cflnovember2010_280.pdf.