THE WEEK AHEAD
CONSUMER PRICE INDEX
Tuesday, Jan. 14, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Consumer prices for all goods and services
likely rose 0.3% in December, the same gain posted in each of the previous
three months. That's the median forecast of economists surveyed by MMS
International, one of The McGraw-Hill Companies. Excluding food and energy,
prices likely grew 0.2% in December, the same as in November.
RETAIL SALES
Tuesday, Jan 14, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Retail sales likely edged up 0.2% in December.
Excluding cars, sales likely increased 0.3%. That's suggested by retailer
reports of a so-so holiday season. In November, total retail sales unexpectedly
fell 0.4%, but they rose 0.3% when car buying was excluded. The November data
could be revised higher.
BUSINESS INVENTORIES
Wednesday, Jan. 15, 8:30 a.m.EST -- The MMS survey expects that inventories at
manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers grew 0.3% in November, after a 0.5%
gain in October. Factories have already reported a 0.4% gain in their
stockpiles. Business sales in November were probably up 0.3% after a 0.2% rise
in October.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
Friday, Jan. 17, 8:30 a.m.EST -- The foreign-trade deficit for all goods and
services probably widened in November, to about $10 billion, after narrowing
quite sharply in October, to $8 billion. Exports likely fell back in November
after jumping 4.2% in October. Imports probably rose in November after dipping
0.7%.
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION
Friday, Jan. 17, 9:15 a.m.EST -- Industrial output probably increased by 0.2%
in December, on top of a 0.9% gain in November. The jump in November reflected
heavy energy demand because of unusually cold weather and a bounceback in auto
production after a strike in October. December capacity use probably stood at
83.4%, from 83.3% in November.
|
