US Data: Highlights of MNI Survey of Economic Forecasts

Repeats Story Initially Transmitted at 21:06 GMT Apr 11/17:06 EST Apr 11

     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 April 7 week                                  

 Thursday, April 12 at 8:30 a.m. ET                       Actual:       

                 Median         Range                  Apr7  Mar31 Mar24

 Weekly Claims   230k        220k to 245k               --   242k   218k

     The level of initial jobless claims is expected to fall by 12,000  

to 230,000 in the April 7 week after a 24,000 increase in the previous  

week. The four-week moving average would rise by 1,000 in the coming    

week, as the 226,000 level in the March 10 week drops out of the        

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

revisions.                                                              

University of Michigan Survey for April (preliminary)                   

 Friday, April 13 at 10:00 a.m. ET                       Actual:        

                Median           Range              Apr18p  Mar18  Feb18

 Consumer Sent  100.2         98.0 to 101.5             --  101.4   99.7

     Comments: The University of Michigan Sentiment index is expected to

be down to 100.2 in early-April from 101.4 in March.                            

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