DALLAS, Jan. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Comerica Bank's California Economic Activity Index grew in November, climbing 0.7 percentage points to a level of 116.6. November's reading is 33 points, or 33 percent, above the index cyclical low of 83.8. The index averaged 106.2 points for all of 2013, five and one-half points above the average for all of 2012. October's index reading was 115.9.

"Our California Economic Activity Index gained in November, now for the eighth consecutive month. The California economy is showing good momentum heading into 2015. Lower gasoline prices are a significant boon to the state's households and businesses. Real estate markets remain very active. Construction projects are visible throughout the state," said Robert Dye, Chief Economist at Comerica Bank. "Volatility in foreign exchange rates represents a risk factor for California businesses in 2015. Also, slow port activity has the potential to stretch out delivery schedules."

The California Economic Activity Index consists of eight variables, as follows: nonfarm payrolls, exports, hotel occupancy rates, continuing claims for unemployment insurance, housing starts, national defense spending, home prices, and the NASDAQ-100-Technology Sector Index (NDXT). 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 104 banking centers in the key California markets of San Francisco and the East Bay, San Jose, Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, Santa Cruz/Monterey, and the Inland Empire, is a subsidiary of Comerica Incorporated (NYSE: CMA). Comerica is a financial services company headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and strategically aligned into three major business segments: the Business Bank, the Retail Bank, and Wealth Management. Comerica focuses on relationships and helping businesses and people be successful. To find Comerica on Facebook, please visit www.facebook.com/ComericaCares.

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SOURCE Comerica Bank