Business Week Index

THE WEEK AHEAD

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Tuesday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. - The Conference Board's index of consumer

confidence in November probably was little changed from October's 87.6. That's

the median forecast of economists surveyed by MMS International, a unit of

McGraw-Hill Inc.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

Wednesday, Nov. 30, 8:30 a.m. - According to the MMS survey, the Commerce

Dept.'s firstrevision to the GDP data will show that the economy grew at an

annualrate of 3.5% in the third quarter, not much different than the 3.4%

initiallyreported. Inventory growth was less than first thought, but final

demand was higher. Aftertax corporate profits probably increased 6% in the

third quarter from a year ago.

PERSONAL INCOME

Thursday, Dec. 1, 8:30 a.m. - Personal income likely grew by a large 0.9% in

October, after a 0.6% gain in September. That's suggested by the jump in weekly

pay and jobs last month. Consumer spending probably looked stronger in October,

with a 0.6% advance, after a 0.2%rise during September.

CONSTRUCTION SPENDING

Thursday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. - Construction outlays likelyrose 0.3% in October,

on top of a 1.6% jump in September.

NAPM SURVEY

Thursday, Dec. 1, 10 a.m. - The National Association of Purchasing

Management's business index probably fell to 59% in November from 59.7% in

October.

LEADING INDICATORS

Friday, Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m. - The October index of leading indicators probably

edged up just 0.1% after no change in September.

EMPLOYMENT

Friday, Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m. - The MMS economists forecast that nonfarm

payrollsrose by 225,000 in November afterrising 194,000 in October. The

November joblessrate likelyremained at a tight 5.8%.