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. 

     Trade Balance (billions)

Friday, October 4 at  a.m. ET                             Actual:        

               Median                                Aug19  Jul19  Jun19  

Billions        -54.5                                 --   -54.0   -55.2        

          Comments:  The trade balance is projected to increase marginally to 

-54.6 in August from -54.0 July. This reflects continued trade tensions 

and strained negotiations.  

Nonfarm Payrolls (thousands)

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. ET                        Actual:        

               Median                                Sep19  Aug19  Jul19  

Payrolls        146                                   --     130    164

Private         130                                   --     96     148

     Comments: September nonfarm payrolls are projected to rise to 

146,000 from August's 130,000 number. Private payrolls are also 

projected to rise to 130,000 from 96,000. This further indicates a 

strong labor market and low unemployment.

     Unemployment Rate (percentage)

Friday, October 4 at 10:00 a.m. ET                        Actual:        

               Median                                Sep19  Aug19  Jul19  

Payrolls        3.7%                                   --    3.7%   3.7%

     Comments: September unemployment rate is looking to remain constant 

at 3.7% as seen in August and July. 

Hourly Earnings (percent/hours)

Friday, October 4 at 8:30 a.m. ET                        Actual:        

                  Median                             Sep19  Aug19  Jul19 

Avg hourly earn    0.3%                               --   0.4%     0.3%

Avg workweek       34.4hr                             --   34.4hr 34.3hr

     Comments: Average hourly earnings for September are projected to 

rise 0.3%, just alightly slower than the 0.4% recorded in August. The 

average workweek length is looking to stay at the usual average of 34.4.

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

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