US Data: Highlights of MNI Survey of Economic Forecasts

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

upcoming U.S. economic indicators provided by participants in the MNI   

weekly survey. The comment section presents the key elements behind the 

median forecasts.       

Nonfarm Payrolls for July (change in thousands)                         

 Friday, August 4 at 8:30 a.m. ET                          Actual:      

               Median         Range                  Jul17  Jun17  May17

 Payrolls       +181k     +169k to +220k                --  +222k  +152k

 Private Job    +185k     +163k to +205k                --  +187k  +159k

 Jobless Rate    4.3%      4.3% to 4.4%                 --   4.4%   4.3%

 Hrly Earnings  +0.3%     +0.1% to +0.3%                --  +0.2%  +0.1%

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.5      34.4 to 34.5                 --   34.5   34.4

     Comments: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 181,000 in July 

after a stronger-than-expected 222,000 gain in June. The unemployment   

rate is expected to fall back to 4.3% after rebounding to 4.4% in June. 

Hourly earnings are forecast to rise 0.3% after a 0.2% gain in the      

previous month. Due to a large 0.4% rise in hourly earnings in July     

2016, the year/year gain for July 2017 is likely to be trimmed. The     

average workweek is expected to hold steady at 34.5.                    

Trade in Goods and Services for June (deficit, billion $)               

 Friday, August 4 at 8:30 a.m. ET                        Actual:        

              Median           Range               Jun17   May17   Apr17

 Trade Gap   -$44.1b     -$44.9b to -$43.9b           -- -$46.5b -$47.6b

     Comments: The international trade gap is expected to narrow to     

$44.1 billion in June. The advance estimate of the Census goods trade   

gap narrowed to $63.9 billion in June, with exports up 1.4% and imports 

down 0.4%.                                                              

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]