trade deficit

U.S. Trade Deficit Falls to Lowest Level Since December 2010

The U.S. trade deficit declined to the lowest level in almost two years as exports rose to a record high, a gain that is not expected to last given the global economic slowdown. U.S. exports climbed 3.1 percent to an all-time high of $187 billion.

The Obama Romney Debate: Who Won, and What That Means

Let's not sugarcoat it, President Obama won Monday's debate decisively -- at least on the topic of the evening, foreign policy. That's good news for Obama and bad news for Romney. But there's good news for Romney too.

U.S. Trade Deficit Fell 12.1% in Second Quarter as Exports Rose

The U.S. current account trade deficit narrowed in the April-June period, pushed lower by an increase in American exports and cheaper oil imports. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that the deficit in the current account decreased 12.1 percent to $117.4 billion in the second quarter.

Cheaper Oil Pushes U.S. Trade Deficit to 18 Month Low

The U.S. trade deficit fell to its lowest level in 18 months in June, pushed down by a steep drop in oil imports and a small rise in exports. The trade gap narrowed to $42.9 billion in June, down from $48 billion in May, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows to $50.1 Billion in April

The U.S. trade deficit shrunk in April, but only because a big drop in imports offset the first decline in U.S. exports in five months. Exports, which had hit a record the previous month, fell 0.8%, but imports, which also set a record in March, dropped an even faster 1.7%.

Happy Chinese New Year! Your Item Is Back-Ordered

Chinese New Year kicked off on Monday, and the celebration of the new lunar cycle will effect you than you might think. When the country that manufactures so much of what we buy goes on vacation for two weeks, U.S. retail can hardly act like it's business as usual.

Consumer Sentiment Plunges as Gas Prices Surge

Bad economic news across the board is weighing on Americans' mood this month. The consumer sentiment index fell to a 5-month low in March, thanks to increases in the U.S. trade deficit, higher jobless claims, and a more than 40-cent jump in the price of a gallon of gas.

The Trade Deficit's Untold Story: Rising Exports

The U.S. trade gap widened to just under $500 billion in 2010, but that obscures impressive growth in global sales of U.S. goods. And the outlook for 2011 is even better. Still, to reach a trade surplus, America must solve two serious problems.

U.S. Trade Deficit Plunges as Exports Hit Two-Year High

Aided by a jump in exports and a dip in imports, the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly plunged to $38.7 billion in October, the U.S. Commerce Department said. A weaker dollar is making U.S. industrial and agricultural goods and services more attractive to foreign customers, including emerging market economies developing their infrastructures.

Consumer Sentiment Rises to Highest Level Since June

The consumer sentiment index rose to its highest level in five months in November, propelled by a slightly better economic outlook. However, despite the gain, sentiment remains at a low level, and not high enough to suggest a surge in consumer spending anytime soon.

U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinks as Exports Hit Two-Year High

Aided by a decline in imports and a two-year high in exports, the U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly plunged 5.3% in September to $44 billion. Strong commercial airline orders helped boost the export total. Further, if the dollar remains at present levels, that will likely lead to more export gains in the months ahead -- something that will boost the revenue of many U.S. corporations with substantial international customers.