Haver Analytics
Haver Analytics
Global| Aug 12 2005

U.S. Trade Deficit Deepened

Summary

The U.S. foreign trade deficit deepened more than expected in June to $58.8B versus May's deficit of $55.4 which was little revised. Consensus expectations had been for a deficit of $57.2B. Total exports were unchanged for the second [...]


The U.S. foreign trade deficit deepened more than expected in June to $58.8B versus May's deficit of $55.4 which was little revised. Consensus expectations had been for a deficit of $57.2B.

Total exports were unchanged for the second consecutive month. Goods exports were again unchanged (13.0% y/y), last month held back by a 7.0% decline in food, feeds & beverages and a 2.2% (+12.2% y/y) drop in nonauto consumer goods. Capital goods recovered 1.9% (12.4% y/y) after the prior month's decline. Exports of advanced technology products jumped 12.2% (NSA, 10.3% y/y) after two months of decline.

Services exports rose 0.2% (13.7% y/y).

Imports of goods & services rose 2.1% as imports of capital goods jumped 4.0% (11.2% y/y). Imports of petroleum products rose 9.8% (31.9% y/y) due to a 3.1% rise in the average price of crude oil to $44.40 per bbl. (31.6% y/y). Imports of non-petroleum goods rose 1.3% (8.6% y/y).

The US trade deficit with China deepened further to $17.6B ($161.9B in 2004) and the US trade deficit with Japan deepened to $6.9B ($75.6B in 2004) following two months of improvement. The monthly trade deficit with the Asian NICs deepened to $1.3B ($21.9B in 2004) and the deficit with the European Union deepened to $10.8B ($109.3B in 2004).

Foreign Exchange Rates Are Predictable! from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis is available here.

International Perspectives on the "Great Moderation" from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis can be found here.

Foreign Trade June May Y/Y 2004 2003 2002
Trade Deficit $58.8B $55.4B $54.9B (6/04) $617.6B $494.8B $421.2B
  Exports - Goods & Services 0.0% 0.0% 13.4% 12.6% 4.6% -3.0%
  Imports - Goods & Services 2.1% -0.9% 11.1% 16.6% 8.5% 2.1%
  • Prior to joining Haver Analytics in 2000, Mr. Moeller worked as the Economist at Chancellor Capital Management from 1985 to 1999. There, he developed comprehensive economic forecasts and interpreted economic data for equity and fixed income portfolio managers. Also at Chancellor, Mr. Moeller worked as an equity analyst and was responsible for researching and rating companies in the economically sensitive automobile and housing industries for investment in Chancellor’s equity portfolio.   Prior to joining Chancellor, Mr. Moeller was an Economist at Citibank from 1979 to 1984.   He also analyzed pricing behavior in the metals industry for the Council on Wage and Price Stability in Washington, D.C.   In 1999, Mr. Moeller received the award for most accurate forecast from the Forecasters' Club of New York. From 1990 to 1992 he was President of the New York Association for Business Economists.   Mr. Moeller earned an M.B.A. in Finance from Fordham University, where he graduated in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from George Washington University.

    More in Author Profile »

More Economy in Brief