DALLAS, May 30, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank's Michigan Economic Activity Index increased in March, up 1.8 points to a level of 119.9. The March index reading is 49 points, or 68 percent, above the index cyclical low of 71.2. The index averaged 114 for all of 2012, 11 points above the index average for 2011. February's index reading was revised up from 117.8 to 118.1.

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"Our Michigan Index has gradually increased through the first three months of 2013, consistent with an improving national and regional economic climate. The index components for March were mixed, with payrolls, state sales tax and motor vehicle production stronger. Exports, hotel occupancy, unemployment insurance claims and residential building permits were weaker," said Robert Dye, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "It is good news for Michigan to see auto assemblies increasing again, after flattening out at the start of the year. I expect to see auto sales moderately increase through the year, bolstered by improving conditions for residential real estate."

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 2008. Nominal values have been converted to constant dollar values. Index levels are expressed in terms of three-month moving averages.

Comerica Bank, with 215 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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SOURCE Comerica Bank