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.                                                               

Housing Starts for January (annual rate, million)                       

 Friday, February 16 at 8:30 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

           Median            Range                   Jan18  Dec17  Nov17

 Starts    1.225m        1.207m to 1.275m               -- 1.192m 1.299m

     Comments: The seasonally adjusted pace of housing starts is        

expected to rebound to a 1.225 million annual rate in January after     

slipping back in December. The NAHB index fell modestly in January.     

University of Michigan Survey for February (preliminary)                

 Friday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:       

                Median           Range              Feb18p  Jan18  Dec17

 Consumer Sent    95.0       93.0 to 96.5               --   95.7   95.9

     Comments: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to slide to 95.0

in early-February after holding roughly steady at 95.7 in January, but  

the recent plunge in the stock market provides some downside risk.              

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]