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.         

Industrial Production for October (percent change)

 Friday, November 16 at 9:15 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

              Median          Range                  Oct18  Sep18  Aug18

 Ind Prod      +0.1%     -0.4% to +0.3%                 --  +0.3%  +0.4% 

 Cap Util      78.1%     77.9% to 78.3%                 --  78.1%  78.1% 

     Comments: Industrial production is expected to hold steady in 

October after a 0.3% gain in September. The impacts of Hurricane Michael 

may not center on mining production, as they have with past hurricanes, 

but rather on weaker readings for the manufacturing and utilities 

portions of the report. Factory payrolls rose by 32,000 in October, 

while auto production jobs rose by 7,000. However, the factory workweek 

was shorter at 40.8 hours, down slightly from 40.9 hours in September. 

The ISM production index dipped to 59.9 in the current month from 63.9 

in the previous month. Utilities production is expected remain nearly 

steady for a second straight month, though warmer-than-usual 

temperatures add some upside risk. Mining production is expected to 

continue its string of gains. Capacity utilization is forecast to stay 

at 78.1%.

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

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