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 February (change in thousands)                     

 Friday, March 9 at 8:30 a.m. ET                         Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Feb18  Jan18  Dec17

 Payrolls       +210k    +175k to +250k                 --  +200k  +160k

 Private Job    +200k    +185k to +220k                 --  +196k  +156k

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

 Hrly Earnings  +0.2%    +0.1% to +0.3%                 --  +0.3%  +0.4%

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.4     34.4 to 34.5                  --   34.3   34.5

     Comments: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 210,000 in      

February after a stronger-than-expected 200,000 reading in January. The 

unemployment rate is expected to dip to 4.0%. Hourly earnings are       

forecast to rise only 0.2% after a 0.3% gain in January that reflected  

difficulties with low wage hourly workers getting to work due to        

weather, while the average workweek is expected to rebound to 34.4 hours

after dipping to 34.3 in January for the same reason.                           

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]