Business Week Index

THE WEEK AHEAD

EMPLOYMENT COSTS

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Labor costs rose 0.8% in the third quarter,

the same gain as in the second, says the median forecast of economists polled

by MMS International, one of The McGraw-Hill Companies.

CONSUMER CONFIDENCE

Tuesday, Oct. 29, 10 a.m.EST -- The Conference Board's confidence index likely

hit 112 in October, from 111.8 in September.

REAL GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 8:30 a.m.EST -- The MMS survey expects that real GDP grew

at a 2.1% annual rate in the third quarter, less than half the 4.7% surge in

the second.

NEW SINGLE-FAMILY HOME SALES

Wednesday, Oct. 30, 10 a.m.EST -- New homes likely sold at an annual rate of

775,000 in September, a big drop from August's surprisingly strong 832,000 pace.

BEIGE BOOK

Wednesday, Oct. 30, noonEST -- The Federal Reserve's roundup of economic

reports from its 12 districts will give a summary of October business activity

in advance of the Fed's Nov. 13 policy meeting.

PERSONAL INCOME

Thursday, Oct. 31, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Personal income probably rose 0.5% in

September, after a 0.6% advance in August. September consumer spending likely

rose 0.4%, on top of a 0.6% rise in August.

EMPLOYMENT

Friday, Nov. 1, 8:30 a.m.EST -- The MMS median forecast calls for a gain of

188,000 nonfarm jobs in October, after payrolls dipped 40,000 in September. The

unemployment rate likely remained at 5.2%, and hourly wages probably increased

0.3% in October, after a 0.5% rise in September.

NAPM SURVEY

Friday, Nov. 1, 10 a.m.EST -- The National Association of Purchasing

Management's business index likely slipped to 51.5% in October, from 51.7% in

September.