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.         

Empire State Index for February (diffusion index)

 Friday, February 15 at 8:30 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                 Median        Range                 Feb19  Jan19  Dec18

 Empire Index      5.8       0.0 to 11.5                --    3.9   11.5

     Comments: The Empire State index is expected to rebound to 5.8 in 

February after falling to 3.9 in January. The index has underperformed 

estimates in the last two months and remains only slightly above the 

breakeven point. 

Industrial Production for January (percent change)

 Friday, February 15 at 9:15 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

              Median          Range                  Jan19  Dec18  Nov18

 Ind Prod      +0.2%     -0.2% to +0.2%                 --  +0.3%  +0.4% 

 Cap Util      78.8%     78.4% to 78.8%                 --  78.7%  78.6%  

     Comments: Industrial production is expected to rise 0.2% in January 

after a 0.3% rise in December. Factory payrolls rose by 13,000 in 

January, while auto production jobs rose by 1,000 and the factory 

workweek shortened slightly to 40.8 hours. The ISM production index 

rebounded sharply to 60.5 in the current month from 54.1 in the previous 

month. Utilities production is expected to partially rebound in the 

month after a 6.3% plunge in December, as temperatures returned to 

below-normal levels in January, in some cases to record lows. Mining 

production is forecast to dip after gain in the previous two months. 

Capacity utilization is forecast to rise slightly at 78.8% in December. 

University of Michigan Survey for February (preliminary)          

 Friday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:

                Median        Range                 Feb19p  Jan19  Dec18

 Consumer Sent    93.0    92.0 to 95.0                  --   91.2   98.3

     Comments: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to rebound to a 

reading of 93.0 in early-February after plunging in January, due in 

large part to the resolution of the government shutdown. 

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

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