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 January (change in thousands)                      

 Friday, February 2 at 8:30 a.m. ET                      Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Jan18  Dec17  Nov17

 Payrolls       +185k       +160k to +230k              --  +148k  +252k

 Private Job    +183k       +160k to +230k              --  +146k  +239k

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

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

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.5        34.4 to 34.5               --   34.5   34.5

     Commnents: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 185,000 in     

January after a below-expectation reading in December. Benchmark        

revisions to the establishment survey data will be included in this     

month's report. The unemployment rate is expected to stay at 4.1%.      

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

average workweek is expected to hold steady at 34.5 hours for the third 

straight month.                                                         

Factory Orders for December (percent change)                            

 Friday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

              Median             Range               Dec17  Nov17  Oct17

 New Orders    +1.5%       +0.5% to +3.0%               --  +1.3%  +0.4%

 Ex Transport    --           -- to --                  --  +0.8%  +1.2%

     Comments: Factory orders are expected to rise by 1.5% in December. 

Durable goods orders rose 2.9% in the month on a surge in aircraft      

orders, while nondurables orders are expected to rise further. Factory  

orders are expected to still be strong ex. the transportation component.

Durable orders excluding transportation rose by 0.6%.                   

University of Michigan Survey for January (final)                       

 Friday, February 2 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                Median           Range              Jan18f Jan18p  Dec17

 Consumer Sent    95.0       94.5 to 96.0               --   94.4   95.9

     Comments: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to be revised   

slightly to a reading of 95.0 from 94.4.                                

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

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