Ongoing Economic Recovery, Even in Michigan!!

Comerica Bank’s Michigan Economic Activity Index rose three points in February, to a level of 84. February’s reading is the highest Index observation since October 2008 (see chart above). February marks a 10 point, or 13.5 percent, year-on-year increase in the Index, the largest 12-month increase since January 2005. The Index for February is up 18 percent compared to its July 2009 cyclical low.

“Following a four point increase in January, our Index continued to surge in February,” said Dana Johnson, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. “February’s reading was driven by strong steel production and natural gas sales, with seven out of nine Index components reflecting positive growth overall. Even as the weather effects that likely pushed natural gas sales higher in the early part of the year fade, our Index should continue to trend higher over the course of the year, reflecting an ongoing recovery in Michigan.”