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.         

     GDP for Third Quarter (advance estimate)

 Friday, October 26 at 8:30 a.m. ET                      Actual:        

               Median         Range                  3Q18a   2Q18   1Q18

 GDP            +3.3%    +2.9% to +3.6%                 --  +4.2%  +2.2% 

 Chain Prices   +1.9%    +1.7% to +2.1%                 --  +3.0%  +2.0%

          Comments: Analysts see a 3.3% increase for third quarter GDP in the 

advance estimate, softer than the 4.2% gain in the second quarter, but 

still above the first quarter. The key factors are expected to be softer 

business investment and net exports than in the previous quarter, with 

the latter offering payback for the strong export growth in the second 

quarter ahead of the tariff implementation. Consumption is expected to 

again be a very positive factor in the headline number. The chain price 

index is expected to rise by 1.9% in the third quarter after a 3.0% gain 

in the previous quarter. 

     University of Michigan Survey for October (final)          

 Friday, October 26 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                Median        Range                 Oct18f Oct18p  Sep18

 Consumer Sent    99.0    98.6 to 99.5                  --   99.0  100.1

          Comments: The University of Michigan Sentiment index is expected to 

be unrevised at a reading of 99.0, down from September but still solidly 

ahead of readings in the summer.

--MNI Washington Bureau; +1 (973) 494-2611; email: harrison.clarke@marketnews.com

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