Economic & Financial Highlights
International
Economic & Financial Highlights tracks data from a number of series. The charts below are associated with topics of an international focus.
2016
Nov 08, 2016
International Trade
The nominal trade deficit narrowed in September to $36.4 billion from $40.5 billion in August as exports rose for the fourth consecutive month while imports declined. Export growth was led by capital goods, mainly civilian aircraft. Industrial supplies and consumer goods also rose, and food exports fell sharply, partially reversing the July surge driven by exports of soybeans. Capital goods and consumer goods drove September’s decline in imports. Nominal exports were up 0.9 percent in September compared to a year ago, and imports continued to fall on a year-over-year basis. Year to date, international trade contributed positively to gross domestic product growth after being a drag on economic growth for five quarters in a row.
Sep 07, 2016
International Trade
The nominal trade deficit narrowed in July to $39.5 billion from $44.7 billion in June as exports increased and imports fell. The increase in exports was driven by a sizeable gain in exports of soybeans, and the drop in imports was mostly a result of large decreases in imports of pharmaceutical drugs and cell phones. On a year-over-year basis, both exports and imports continued to fall in July but at a slower pace.
Adjusted for price changes, growth in real merchandise exports turned positive on a year-over-year basis. Annual growth of real nonpetroleum merchandise imports was also slightly positive.
Aug 09, 2016
International Trade
The nominal trade deficit continued to widen in June, rising to $44.5 billion from $41 billion in May, as imports increased more than exports. The small increase in exports was led by higher food exports (particularly corn and wheat), and import growth was driven by industrial materials (mainly crude oil). Imports of consumer goods and capital goods also grew in June.
Both import and export levels were lower in June than a year ago. Adjusted for price changes, real merchandise exports declined in June, remaining below their year-ago level. Real nonpetroleum merchandise imports rose in June and were up slightly compared with a year ago.
