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 November (change in thousands)                     

 Friday, December 8 at 8:30 a.m. ET                       Actual:       

               Median         Range                  Nov17  Oct17  Sep17

 Payrolls       +200k      +165k to +250k               --  +261k   +18k

 Private Job    +194k      +160k to +245k               --  +252k   +15k

 Jobless Rate    4.1%       4.0% to 4.2%                --   4.1%   4.2%

 Hrly Earnings  +0.3%      +0.1% to +0.4%               --   Flat  +0.5%

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.4       34.4 to 34.4                --   34.4   34.4

     Comments: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 200,000 in      

November after hurricane-related fluctuations in September and October, 

while the unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 4.1% in       

October. Hourly earnings are forecast to rise by 0.3% after a flat      

October reading and a 0.5% surge in September, and the average workweek 

is expected to continue at 34.4 hours, where it has been for the last   

four months.                                                            

University of Michigan Survey for December (preliminary)                

 Friday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                Median           Range              Dec17p  Nov17  Oct17

 Consumer Sent    99.0        97.0 to 102.0             --   98.5   97.8

     Comments: The Michigan sentiment index rise slightly to a reading  

of 99.0 in early December from 98.5 in November.                        

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]