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.          

Leading Indicators for April (percent change)

 Friday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET                         Actual:

                 Median         Range                Apr18  Mar19  Feb19

 Leading Index   +0.2%     +0.2% to +0.3%               --  +0.4%  +0.1%

     Comments: The leading index is expected to rise by 0.2% in April, 

with positive contributions from lower jobless claims and higher stock 

prices and consumer expectations, offset by a sharp decline in the ISM 

new orders index. 

University of Michigan Survey for May (preliminary)          

 Friday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. ET                         Actual:

                Median        Range                  May19p  Apr19 Mar19

 Consumer Sent   97.5     96.0 to 99.0                   --   97.2  98.4

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

reading of 97.5 in early-May from 97.2 in April.

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

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