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 April (change in thousands)                        

 Friday, May 3 at 8:30 a.m. ET                           Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Apr19  Mar19  Feb19

 Payrolls       +190k    +165k to +250k                 --  +196k   +33k

 Private Jobs   +190k    +165k to +220k                 --  +182k   +28k

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

 Hrly Earnings  +0.3%    +0.2% to +0.3%                 --  +0.1%  +0.4%

 Avg Wkly Hrs    34.5     34.5 to  34.5                 --   34.5   34.4

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

after a stronger-than-expected 196,000 increase in March. The           

unemployment rate is expected to hold steady at 3.8% for another month. 

Hourly earnings are forecast to rise 0.3%, while the average workweek is

expected to stay at 34.5 hours.                                         

ISM Non-manufacturing Index for April                                   

 Friday, May 3 at 10:00 a.m. ET                          Actual:        

               Median         Range                  Apr19  Mar19  Feb19

 ISM NMI        57.3      56.0 to 58.5                  --   56.1   59.7

     Comments: The nonmanufacturing ISM reading is expected to rebound  

to a reading of 57.3 in April after falling to 56.1 in March. The       

Philadelphia Fed nonmanufacturing index declined slightly to 21.0 while 

the flash Markit Services index fell to 52.9.                           

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

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