The increase was the largest since March 1990 and higher than economists had forecast.

Economists are forecasting an increase to about $32 billion in 1987.

Economists had forecast an increase of 150,000 jobs in December.

Economists on average had forecast a $4.9 billion gap for May.

Earlier, many economists had forecast 2 or 3 percent expansion.

Economists had forecast a 2.1 percent unemployment rate for the month.

Various economists have forecast negative growth in the current quarter and the first three months of 2012.

Economists had forecast July sales at an annual rate of 712,000.

Economists forecast economic growth will slow by up to one percentage point in the second half of the year.

Economists at the department have forecast that milk prices would level off this year.