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.                                                               

Empire State Index for December (diffusion index)                       

 Friday, December 15 at 8:30 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

                 Median        Range                 Dec17  Nov17  Oct17

 Empire Index      17.5    14.7 to 20.0                 --   19.4   30.2

     Comments: The Empire State index is expected to fall to a reading  

of 17.5 in December from 19.4 in November.                              

Industrial Production for November (percent change)                     

 Friday, December 15 at 9:15 a.m. ET                     Actual:        

              Median          Range                  Nov17  Oct17  Sep17

 Ind Prod      +0.3%       Flat to +0.8%                --  +0.9%  +0.4%

 Cap Util      77.2%      77.1% to 77.5%                --  77.0%  76.4%

     Comments: Industrial production is expected to rise 0.3% in        

November after a 0.9% surge in the previous month. Factory payrolls rose

by 31,000 in November, while auto production jobs were up 2,000 and the 

factory workweek held steady at 40.9 hours. The ISM production index    

rose to 63.9 in the current month from 61.0 in the previous month.      

Utilities production is expected to decline in the month after a 2.0%   

October gain, as the weather was warmer than normal, while mining       

production is forecast to rebound after posting a 1.3% decline due to   

increase oil and gas extraction. Capacity utilization is forecast to    

rise to 77.2% from 77.0% in October.                                    

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

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