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 November (change in thousands)                     

 Friday, December 7 at 8:30 a.m. ET                      Actual:        

               Median         Range                 Nov18  Oct18  Sep18 

 Payrolls        190k      165k to 220k                --  +250k  +118k

 Private Jobs    190k      165k to 215k                --  +246k  +121k

 Jobless Rate    3.7%      3.7% to 3.8%                --   3.7%   3.7%

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

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.5      34.4 to 34.5                --   34.5   34.4

     Comments: Nonfarm payrolls are forecast to rise by 190,000 in 

November after a much stronger-than-expected 250,000 rise in October, a 

rebound from the previous month's weak reading. The unemployment rate is 

expected to hold steady at 3.7% for a third straight month. Hourly 

earnings are forecast to rise 0.3%, with the year/year rate likely to 

slip back from the 3.1% rate posted in October due to base effects. The 

average workweek is expected to stay at 34.5 hours in October. 

University of Michigan Survey for December (preliminary)          

 Friday, December 7 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:

                Median        Range                 Dec18p  Nov18  Oct18

 Consumer Sent    97.4    95.0 to 98.0                  --   97.5   98.6

     Comment: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to fall slightly 

to a reading of 97.4 in early-December, helped by rising stock prices 

and lower gasoline price. 

Consumer Credit for October (dollar change, billions)                   

 Friday, December 7 at 3:00 p.m. ET                   Actual:        

              Median        Range                  Oct18   Sep18   Aug18

 Cons Cred    +$15.0  +$13.0 to +$17.0                -- +$10.9b +$22.9b

     Comments: Consumer credit is expected to rise by $15.0 billion in 

October after a smaller $10.9 billion gain in September. Retail sales 

were up 0.8% in October overall and were still up 0.7% excluding a 1.1% 

surge in motor vehicle sales, suggesting consumer credit growth 

accelerated.

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

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