Business Week Index

THE WEEK AHEAD

NEW HOME SALES

Monday, Apr. 29, 10 a.m.EDT -- New homes sold at an annual rate of 695,000 in

March, down from 700,000 in February, projects economists surveyed by MMS

International, one of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

EMPLOYMENT COSTS

Tuesday, Apr. 30, 8:30 a.m.EDT -- Compensation likely rose 0.9% in the first

quarter.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Tuesday, Apr. 30, 10 a.m.EDT -- The Conference Board's index of consumer

confidence probably stood at 98.2 in April.

NAPM SURVEY

Wednesday, May 1, 10 a.m.EDT -- The National Association of Purchasing

Management's business index likely rose to 48.1% in April, from 46.9% in March.

CONSTRUCTION SPENDING

Wednesday, May 1, 10 a.m.EDT -- Construction outlays likely rose 0.5% in March,

forecasts the MMS survey. Spending fell 0.9% in February.

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

Thursday, May 2, 8:30 a.m.EDT -- Real GDP grew at an annual rate of 1.7% in the

first quarter, after just a 0.5% advance in the fourth, says the MMS median

forecast.

EMPLOYMENT

Friday, May 3, 8:30 a.m.EDT -- Nonfarm payrolls probably rose 125,000 in April,

on top of 140,000 jobs in March. April's jobless rate was likely unchanged at

5.6%.

PERSONAL INCOME

Friday, May 3, 8:30 a.m.EDT -- Personal income probably rose 0.4% in March,

half the gain in February. Consumer spending likely edged up 0.3% in March,

after a 1.1% jump in February.