Courtesy of Mish.
Last month imports surged in the wake of the West coast port strike settlement. This month imports declined, pretty much as expected.
Since exports add to GDP and imports subtract, second quarter GDP estimates get a lift.
Let’s take a peek inside today’s Census Bureau report on International Trade in Goods and Services for April.
Exports and Imports
Highlights
- The goods and services deficit was $40.9 billion in April, down $9.7 billion from $50.6 billion in March, revised.
- Exports were $189.9 billion, $1.9 billion more than March exports.
- Imports were $230.8 billion, $7.8 billion less than March imports.
Year-To-Date
- The goods and services deficit increased $1.5 billion, or 0.9 percent, from the same period in 2014. Exports decreased $18.0 billion or 2.3 percent.
- Imports decreased $16.5 billion or 1.8 percent.
Year-Over-Year
- The average goods and services deficit decreased $0.5 billion from the three months ending in April 2014
- Average exports of goods and services decreased $4.9 billion from April 2014.
- Average imports of goods and services decreased $5.4 billion from April 2014.
Trade Balance
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