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 May (change in thousands)                          

 Friday, June 1 at 8:30 a.m. ET                          Actual:        

               Median         Range                  May18  Apr18  Mar18

 Payrolls      +194k      +169k to +217k                --  +164k  +135k

 Private Job   +200k      +165k to +217k                --  +168k  +135k

 Jobless Rate  3.9%        3.8% to 4.0%                 --   3.9%   4.1%

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

 Avg Wkly Hrs  34.5        34.4 to 34.5                 --   34.5   34.5

     Comments: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 194,000 in May  

after a weaker-than-expected 164,000 rise in April. The unemployment    

rate is expected to hold steady at the 18-year low of 3.9%. Hourly      

earnings are forecast to rise 0.2% after a 0.1% gain, while the average 

workweek is expected to hold steady at 34.5 hours for another month.    

Domestic Motor Vehicle Sales for May (mln units, saar)                  

 Friday, June 1                                          Actual:        

               Median         Range                  May18  Apr18  Mar18

 Sales Ex GM   --               --                      --   9.9m  10.2m

     Comments: Domestic-made vehicle sales are expected to hold roughly 

steady in May after slowing in April, though there is some downside risk

as seasonal adjustment factors will subtract significantly from         

unadjusted May sales after adding modestly to April sales.              

Construction Spending for April (percent change)                        

 Friday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. ET                         Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Apr18  Mar18  Feb18

 Construction  +0.8%      +0.5% to +1.0%                --  -1.7%  +1.0%

     Comments: Construction spending is expected to rose by 0.8% in     

April. Housing starts fell in the month, suggesting private residential 

building pulled back further after a large March dip.                   

ISM Manufacturing Index for May                                         

 Friday, June 1 at 10:00 a.m. ET                         Actual:        

               Median         Range                  May18  Apr18  Mar18

 Mfg ISM       58.9        56.8 to 60.0                 --   57.3   59.3

     Comments: The ISM manufacturing index is expected to rebound       

modestly to a reading of 58.9 in May after declining further to 57.3 in 

April. Regional conditions data have pointed overwhelmingly to improved 

conditions.                                                                     

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

[TOPICS: M$U$$$]