Chicago Fed Midwest factory activity rises in Oct

NEW YORK, Nov 30 (Reuters) - The Chicago Federal Reserve
Bank said on Monday its Midwest manufacturing index rose in
October to the highest level since February but was steeply
down versus a year ago amid weak economic conditions.

The index rose 0.5 percent to a seasonally adjusted 82.9
from an upwardly revised 82.5 in September. The September
reading was originally reported at 82.3.

Compared with a year earlier, Midwest output fell 13.6
percent, much steeper than the 7.5 percent national decline.

Midwest auto sector production rose 0.8 percent in October
after rising by 4.6 percent in September. Compared with a year
earlier, the region's automotive output was down 11.7
percent.

Regional steel output increased 0.8 percent after rising by
1.4 percent in September.

Machinery sector output increased 0.7 percent in October
after decreasing by 1.6 percent in September. Regional
machinery output in October was 22.9 percent below year-earlier
levels, while national machinery output was down 11.6 percent.

The Midwest resource sector's output rose 0.3 percent in
October after holding steady in September.

Compared with a year earlier, the region's resource output
was down 3.5 percent in October, steeper than the 2.0 percent
national decline in resource production.

The Chicago Fed Midwest Manufacturing Index is a monthly
estimate of manufacturing output in the region by major
industries. The survey covers the five states that make up the
seventh Federal Reserve district: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
Michigan and Wisconsin.
(Reporting by John Parry; Editing by Dan Grebler)
((John.Parry@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 646 223 6303; Reuters
Messaging: john.parry.reuters.com@reuters.net))