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.  

GDP for Third Quarter (advance estimate)                                

 Friday, October 27 at 8:30 a.m. ET                      Actual:        

               Median        Range                   3Q17a   2Q17   1Q17

 GDP            +2.7%     +1.9% to +3.3%                --  +3.1%  +1.2%

 Chain Prices   +1.8%     +1.5% to +2.0%                --  +1.0%  +2.0%

     Comments: Analysts expected GDP to rise 2.7% in the advance        

estimate for the third quaters, only slightly below the 3.1% increase in

the second quarter. Analysts will watch closely to see the impact of the

hurricanes in August and September. The key drivers are expected to be  

an auto-related boost in PCE and an improved net export gap, offset by  

softer inventories and fixed investment. The chain price index is       

forecast to rise 1.8% after a 1.0% gain in the second quarter.          

University of Michigan Survey for October (final)                       

 Friday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                Median           Range              Oct17f Oct17p  Sep17

 Consumer Sent   101.0      100.0 to 101.5              --  101.1   95.1

     Comments: The Michigan Sentiment index is expected to be revised   

only slightly lower to a reading of 101.0 from the 101.1 preliminary    

estimate, keeping it well above the 95.1 reading in September. Record   

stock market levels and the belief that August and September's          

hurricane impacts were less than expected have lifted confidence.       

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

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