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 April (change in thousands)                        

 Friday, May 4 at 8:30 a.m. ET                           Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Apr18  Mar18  Feb18

 Payrolls       +185k      +145k to +255k               --  +103k  +326k

 Private Job    +193k      +170k to +250k               --  +102k  +320k

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

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

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.5        34.4 to 34.5               --   34.5   34.5

     Comments: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 185,000 in April

after a much weaker-than-expected 103,000 rise in March and a strong    

326,000 rise in February. The unemployment rate is expected to fall to  

4.0% after holding steady at 4.1% in recent months. Hourly earnings are 

forecast to rise 0.2% after a 0.3% gain, while the average workweek is  

expected to hold steady at 34.5 hours for another month.                

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]