The U.S. December 2016 monthly trade deficit decreased 3.2% from last month and now stands at $44.3 billion. For all of 2016, the trade deficit increased 0.4% from the year previous. While that doesn't sound like much, the total amount is -$502.3 billion. This is in spite of petroleum imports being much less of a trade deficit factor.
The U.S. February 2016 monthly trade deficit increased 2.6% from last month and now stands at -$47.1 billion. America still runs a surplus in services, now at $17.7 billion, but the goods deficit is still massive and this month was -$64.7 billion. The U.S. trade deficit hasn't been this high since August 2015.
Oil prices rose last week while natural gas prices fell, but pricing for the later was complicated by the Wednesday expiration of the contract for November delivery of gas, meaning that as of Wednesday afternoon the quoted price for natural gas was for the higher priced contract for December delivery.
The U.S. November 2014 monthly trade deficit declined -7.7% from last month and now stands at -$39 billion. America still runs a surplus in services, now at $19.3 billion, but the goods deficit is still massive and this month was -$58.3 billion. This month's trade deficit reduction is due to less crude oil imports and lower oil prices.
The U.S. November 2013 monthly trade deficit plunged -12.9% from last month due to a massive drop in oil imports. While the press headlines blare November's $34.25 billion trade deficit is at a four year low, what they are not reporting is just last June the deficit also dropped suddenly and very close to this figure.
The U.S. August 2013 monthly trade deficit barely budged from last month, a 0.4% increase and now stands at -$38,803 billion. America still runs a surplus in services, now at $19.417 billion, but the goods deficit is still massive and this month was -$58.220 billion.
The U.S. July 2013 monthly trade deficit increased 13.3% to $39.147 billion and as expected. Overall exports decreased -0.6% while imports increased by 1.6%. The real news is the monthly China trade deficit just hit a new all time high of $30.1 billion.
The U.S. June 2013 monthly trade deficit cliff dove -22.4% from last month to $34.2 billion. This is the smallest trade deficit since October 2009 when the world was plunged into a global recession. A combination of a dramatic drop in oil imports along with solid U.S. exports in fuel oil, capital goods and jewelry was the reason for the deficit decline. Q2 GDP should be revised upward past 2.0% as shown below.
The June Producer Price Index increased 0.8% for finished goods. May PPI increased 0.5%, but April dropped -0.7%. For the year PPI increased 2.5%. This is the biggest annual increase since March 2012. Gasoline again is the culprit, with wholesale prices surging 7.2%. Core PPI, which is finished goods minus food and energy prices, increased 0.2% for the month.
The U.S. March 2013 monthly trade deficit decreased 11% to $38.8 billion. U.S. exports decreased $1.7 billion or -0.9%. Imports declined by $6.5 billion, a -2.8% decrease. Expect an upward revision on the trade component to Q1 GDP, assuming prices were stable.
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