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.                 

Weekly Jobless Claims for March 17 week                                 

 Thursday, March 22 at 8:30 a.m. ET                       Actual:       

                 Median         Range                Mar17  Mar10  Mar03

 Weekly Claims     226k       220k to 230k              --   226k   230k

     Comments: The level of initial jobless claims is expected to again 

come in at 226,000 in the March 17 employment survey week after a 4,000 

decline in the previous week. Claims were at a level of 220,000 in the  

February 17 employment survey week. The four-week moving average would  

rise by 1,500 in the coming week, as that 220,000 level drops out of the

calculation, assuming the MNI forecast is correct and there are no      

revisions.                                                              

Leading Indicators for February (percent change)                        

 Thursday, March 22 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                 Median         Range                Feb18  Jan18  Dec17

 Leading Index    +0.6%     +0.3% to +0.7%              --  +1.0%  +0.6%

     Comments: The index of leading indicators is forecast to rise by   

0.6% in February, maintaining the string of solid gains. Positive       

contributions are expected from factory hours worked, lower jobless     

claims, and higher consumer confidence. These were offset by negative   

contributions from lower stock prices and softer building permits.      

Durable Goods Orders for February (percent change)                      

 Friday, March 23 at 8:30 a.m. ET                        Actual:        

               Median        Range                   Feb18  Jan18  Dec17

 New Orders     +1.7%     +1.0% to +3.5%                --  -3.6%  +2.7%

 Ex-Transport   +0.6%     +0.3% to +1.7%                --  -0.3%  +0.8%

     Comments: Durable goods orders are expected to rise by 1.7% in     

February after a 3.6% decline in January. Boeing orders were roughly    

unchanged, rising to only 30 from 28 in January, suggesting nondefense  

aircraft orders could level off after a January plunge. Orders excluding

transportation are expected to post a 0.6% increase after a 0.3% decline

in January.                                                             

New Home Sales for February (annual rate)                               

 Friday, March 23 at 10:00 a.m. ET                       Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Feb18  Jan18  Dec17

 New Homes       620k     585k to 640k                  --   593k   643k

     Comments: New home sales are expected to rebound to a 620,000      

annual rate in February following a further decline in January.         

Unadjusted sales were down 2.2% from a year earlier. Home supply was    

modestly rose further in January, so the months supply rose to 6.1      

months from 5.5 months in December.                                             

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

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