Business Week Index

THE WEEK AHEAD

PRODUCER PRICE INDEX

Wednesday, Nov. 13, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Producer prices of finished goods likely

rose 0.2% in October, the same gain as in September, according to the median

forecast of economists surveyed by MMS International, one of The McGraw-Hill

Companies. Oil prices, however, might have caused a larger increase. Excluding

food and energy, October prices probably edged up 0.2%, after a 0.3% rise in

September.

FOMC MEETING

Wednesday, Nov. 13 -- The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve

will probably keep short-term interest rates unchanged at its policy-setting

meeting. That means the federal funds rate will remain at 5.25%.

RETAIL SALES

Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Retail sales in October probably increased a

solid 0.5%, says the MMS report. Excluding cars, sales likely rose 0.4%. In

September, total purchases rose 0.7%, and nonauto sales increased 0.4%.

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX

Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m.EST -- Prices likely increased 0.3% in October,

after a similar rise in September. Excluding food and energy, core prices

likely were up 0.2%, after a 0.3% September gain.

INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION

Friday, Nov. 15, 9:15 a.m.EST -- The MMS survey expects that output at

factories, mines, and utilities was unchanged in October. Factory payrolls

increased last month, but the workweek dropped. Production increased 0.2% in

September. October's average operating rate probably fell to 83.1%, from 83.3%

in September.

BUSINESS INVENTORIES

Friday, Nov. 15, 10 a.m.EST -- Inventories held by manufacturers, wholesalers,

and retailers probably increased 0.4% in September, on top of a 0.5% gain in

August. Inventory accumulation accounted for almost all of the economic growth

last quarter.