MNI European Morning Briefing

     LONDON (MNI) - Wednesday throws up a very quiet data session in Europe, but

there is plenty on offer from the US, as the releases are front-loaded due to

Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday.

     The morning is free of data in the UK and Continental Europe.

     At midday, all focus turns to Westminster, when Prime Minister Theresa May

answers questions from Parliamentarians in the regular PMQs session. At 1240GMT,

Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond will stand to deliver his Autumn

Statement.

     Across the Atlantic, the US calendar gets underway at 1330GMT, with the

publication of the latest Jobless Claims data and the October durable goods

orders.

     The level of initial jobless claims is expected to fall by 9,000 to 240,000

in the November 18 employment survey week after a 10,000 increase in the

previous week. Claims were at a level of 223,000 in the October 14 employment

survey week. The four-week moving average would rise by 1,500 in the coming week

as the 234,000 level in the October 21 week drops out of the calculation,

assuming the MNI forecast is correct and there are no revisions.

     Durable goods orders are expected to rise by 0.5% in October after a 2.0%

gain in September. Boeing orders fell slightly to 64 from 72 in September,

suggesting nondefense aircraft orders could slow modestly, but remain strong.

Orders excluding transportation are expected to rise 0.4% after a 0.7% gain in

September.

     At 1500GMT, the final November Michigan Sentiment Index will be released.

     The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to be revised up modestly to a

reading of 98.1 in November, but remain well below the 100.7 reading in October.

     Back in Europe, at 1500GMT, the European Commission publish the latest

consumer confidence indicator.

     The weekly US DOE crude stocks data will be published at 1530GMT, with the

natural gas stocks data expected at 1600GMT.

     The Fed will publish the latest FOMC minutes at 1900GMT. Late US data sees

the preliminary Treasury Allotments data cross the wires at 2000GMT, with the

Fed's Weekly M2 Money Supply Data at 2130GMT.

     Happy Thanksgiving to all our US readers!

--MNI London Bureau; tel: +44 203-586-2225; email: les.commons@marketnews.com