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.             

Durable Goods Orders for April (percent change)                         

 Friday, May 25 at 8:30 a.m. ET                          Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Apr18  Mar18  Feb18

 New Orders    -1.2%      -2.5% to +1.7%                --  +2.6%  +4.5%

 Ex-Transport  +0.6%      +0.3% to +1.2%                --  -0.1%  +1.3%

     Comments: Durable goods orders are expected to fall 1.2% in April  

after a 2.6% gain in March. Boeing reported 78 orders in April, down    

sharply from 197 orders reported in March, so aircraft orders are likely

to pull back after solid gains in the previous two months. Orders       

excluding transportation are expected to rise 0.6%. Annual revisions    

released on May 17 will be included with the data.                      

University of Michigan Survey for May (final)                           

 Friday, May 25 at 10:00 a.m. ET                         Actual:        

                Median        Range                 May18f May18p  Apr18

 Consumer Sent  98.8       98.5 to 99.0                 --   98.8   98.8

     Comments: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to be unrevised 

from the preliminary May reading, unchanged from the level in April.    

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]