US Data: Highlights of Market Survey of Economic Forecasts

          WASHINGTON (MNI) - The following are highlights of forecasts for 

upcoming U.S. economic indicators provided by Bloomberg forecasts. The 

comment section presents the key elements behind the median forecasts. 

Empire Manufacturing Index (index)

Tuesday, October 15 at 8:30 a.m. EST

                                                           Actual: 

                                 Median               Oct19  Sep19 Aug19 

Index                             0.0                  --     2.0   4.8

     Comments: The Empire Manufacturing Index is poised to be flat in 

October amid continued trade tensions and a slowdown in global 

manufacturing. 

     Retail Sales (percent change)

Wednesday, October 16 at 8:30 a.m. EST

                                                            Actual:        

                    Median                            Sep19 Aug19  Jul19    

Retail Sales          0.3                              --    0.4    0.8

ex. motor vehicles    0.2                              --    0.0    1.0

ex. mtr veh, gas      0.4                              --    0.1    0.9

     Comments: Retail sales growth is expected to hold relatively steady, with

the 

headline number dipping slightly to 0.3% from 0.4%. 

Business Inventories (percent change)

Wednesday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. EST                             

                                                           Actual:

                    Median                              Aug  Jul  Jun 

Inv. Change          0.3                                --   0.4  0.4

     Comments: Business Inventories are projected to slow to a rise of 0.3% 

versus the July increase of 0.4%.

NAHB Home Builder Index (index)

Wednesday, October 16 at 10:00 a.m. EST                       

                                                            Actual:

                                 Median               Oct19  Sep19 Aug19 

Index                              68                  --     68    66

     Comments:  The National Home Builder Index is slated to be little changed

at 

68. This comes amid an increased need for affordable homes. 

     Housing Starts (thousands) 

Thursday, October 17 at 8:30 a.m. EST                         

                                                             Actual:

                    Median                            Sep19  Aug19 Jul19     

Starts:              1320                              --    1364   1191

     Comments: Housing Starts for September are expected to drop to 1320k in 

September from 1364k in August. 

     Building Permits (thousands)

Thursday. October 17 at 8:30 a.m. EST 

                                                          Actual:        

                    Median                            Sep19  Aug19 Jul19    

Permits:             1340                              --    1425   1336

     Comments: Similar to the previous indicators, building permits are 

expected to fall to 1340k from 1425k. 

Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index (index)

Thursday, October 17 at 8:30 a.m. EST                                  

                                                          Actual:        

                    Median                            Oct19  Sep19 Aug19   

Sentiment            7.1                              --     12.0   16.8

     Comments: The Philadelphia Manufacturing Index is anticipated to fall to 

7.1 in October from 12.0 in September. This would mark the third 

consecutive month of declines.  

Industrial Production (percent change)

Thursday, October 17 at 9:15 a.m. EST                         

                                                          Actual:

                    Median                             Sep   Aug   Jul   

Change               -0.1                              --    0.6   -0.2

     Comments:  Industrial production is expected to fall by 0.1% in 

September from a healthier 0.6% increase seen in August.

     Capacity Utilization

Thursday, October 17 at 9:15 a.m. EST                                  

                                                          Actual:        

                    Median                            Oct19  Sep19 Aug19   

Sentiment            77.7                             --     77.9   77.5

     Comments:  Capacity utilization is expected to slow slightly, to 77.7 in 

October from 77.9 in September.

--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 202 371 2121; email: alexandra.kelley@marketnews.com

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