Michigan Economy Improves In December, Reports Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index - WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-

Michigan Economy Improves In December, Reports Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index

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SOURCE Comerica Bank

DALLAS, Feb. 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index saw a bounce back in December, rising 1.7 points to a level of 102.7. The December index reading is 43 points, or 71 percent, above the index cyclical low of 59.9. The index averaged 103 for all of 2012, 12 points above the index average for full-year 2011.

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"Although the Michigan index saw an uptick in its December level, to 102.7, the index is still more than five points off of its recent July peak of 107.8. Index components for December were mostly weak, with only motor vehicle production and sales tax revenues notching positives for the month," said Robert Dye, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "Auto sales remained solid through January, even as other consumer spending suffered from increased federal taxes. Looking ahead, Michigan remains vulnerable to reduced federal spending, as well as slower growth in the manufacturing sector compared with earlier in the recovery cycle." 

The Michigan Economic Activity Index consists of seven variables, as follows: nonfarm payrolls, exports, sales tax revenues, hotel occupancy rates, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, building permits, and motor vehicle production.  All data are seasonally adjusted, as necessary, and indexed to a base year of 2004. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.

Comerica Bank, with 216 banking centers in Michigan, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA), a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned by three business segments: The Business Bank, The Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships, and helping people and businesses be successful. In addition to Michigan and Texas, Comerica Bank locations can be found in Arizona, California, and Florida, with select businesses operating in several other states, as well as in Canada and Mexico. To find Comerica on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares.

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