The Southeast Michigan Purchasing Managers Index dipped slightly from 71.8 to 67.9 in April - but the economists at Wayne State University who track the index point out that 67.9 still represents strong economic growth. Index values above 50 generally represent an expanding economy, while values below 50 suggest a weakening economy. "Over 70 percent of the survey respondents indicated that commodity prices were higher in April than in March, and none indicated that prices were lower," said Timothy Butler, associate professor of global supply chain management at Wayne State's business school, who analyzed the survey results. "Specific items that purchasing managers noted as increasing in price were petroleum products and fuel, cotton products, metals such as steel and copper, and freight costs."

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2011/05/02/se-michigan-economic-index-remains-high/
http://www.freep.com/article/20110503/BUSINESS07/105030348/Index-shows-gains
http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=13103