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.      

Personal Income for August (percent change)                             

 Friday, September 29 at 8:30 a.m. ET                    Actual:        

              Median          Range                  Aug17  Jul17  Jun17

 Income       +0.2%      +0.1% to +0.3%               --  +0.4%   Flat  

 Spending     +0.1%       Flat to +0.2%               --  +0.3%  +0.2%  

 Core Prices  +0.2%      +0.1% to +0.2%               --  +0.1%  +0.1%  

     Comments: Personal income is expected to rise a more modest 0.2% in

August, as payrolls rose by only 156,000, average weekly hours slipped  

to 34.4 hours and hourly earnings rose a modest 0.1%. Current dollar PCE

is forecast to tick up by 0.1%, as retail sales fell 0.2% in the month  

and were up only 0.2% excluding a 1.6% decline in motor vehicle sales.  

Core retail sales (also ex. gas) were down 0.1% in the month, while     

sales excluding autos, gas, building materials and food services fell   

0.2%, indicating underlying weakness partially resulting from the       

hurricanes. The core PCE price index is expected to post a 0.2% increase

in August, reflecting the stronger CPI gain. The year/year gain should  

remain below 2%.                                                        

MNI Chicago Report for September (index)                                

 Friday, September 29 at 9:45 a.m. ET                    Actual:        

              Median        Range                    Sep17  Aug17  Jul17

 MNI Chicago    59.0       58.0 to 60.0                 --   58.9   58.9

     Comments: The MNI Chicago PMI is expected to rise modestly to a    

reading of 59.0 in September after holding steady at 58.9 in August.    

Other regional data already released suggest solid growth.              

University of Michigan Survey for September (final)                     

 Friday, September 29 at 10:00 a.m. ET                    Actual:       

                Median        Range                 Sep17f Sep17p  Aug17

 Consumer Sent    95.3     94.5 to 96.0                --   95.3   96.8 

     Comments: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to be unrevised    

from the 95.3 preliminary estimate, with a downside risk as further hurricane 

impacts should be seen.                                                         

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]