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.                                                       

Weekly Jobless Claims for August 3 week                                 

 Thursday, August 8 at 8:30 a.m. ET                       Actual:       

               Median         Range                  Aug03  Jul27  Jul20

 Weekly Claims   215k     210k to 217k                  --   215k   207k

     Comments: The level of initial jobless claims is expected to hold  

steady at 215,000 in the August 3 week after an 8,000 gain in the       

previous week. The four-week moving average would rise by 1,750 this    

week as the 208,000 level in the July 6 week rolls out of the           

calculation.                                                            

Producer Price Index for July (percent change)                          

 Friday, August 9 at 8:30 a.m. ET                         Actual:       

                 Median         Range                Jul19  Jun19  May19

 Final Demand     +0.2%    +0.1% to +0.3%               --  +0.1%  +0.1%

 Ex Food,Energy   +0.2%    +0.1% to +0.2%               --  +0.3%  +0.2%

     Comments: Final demand PPI is expected to rise by 0.2% in July     

after a 0.1% gains in May and June. Energy prices are expected to tick  

up following a further June decline, while food prices are expected to  

post another modest gain. Excluding food and energy prices, PPI is      

forecast to rise 0.2% after a rising 0.3% in June.                      

--MNI Washington Bureau; tel: +1 202-371-2121; email: kevin.kastner@marketnews.com

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