The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index declined 5.9% in January, to a seasonally adjusted level of 85.6 (2002 = 100). Revised data show the index decreased 3.9% in December, to 91.0.
 
The Federal Reserve Board’s industrial production index for manufacturing fell 2.6% in January. Regional output in January was down 21.8% from a year earlier-lower than the 13.0% decrease in national output.
 
Regional auto sector production dropped 20.0% in January after moving down 1.8% in December. The nation’s auto output decreased 10.1%. The Midwest’s automotive output was down 42.2% relative to its year-ago value, and the nation’s auto output was down 24.3%.
 
The region’s steel sector output moved down 4.9% in January after …