US Data: Highlights of MNI Survey of Economic Forecasts

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 20:06 GMT Mar 22/16:06 EST Mar 22

     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.                 

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