US international trade deficit for December $-98.4B vs $-96.6 billion

• Prior month $-78.2 billion revised to $-78.9 billion
• US international trade deficit for December $-98.4 billion versus $-96.6 billion estimate. The 2nd largest trade deficit going back to 1992.
• Goods trade balance $-122.01 billion versus $-122.11 billion preliminary. Last month $-103.5 billion
• Exports $266.5 billion, $-7.1 billion or minus -2.6% versus November
• imports $364.9 billion, +$12.4 billion versus November

Details from the BEA

Exports of goods decreased $7.5 billion to $170.2 billion in December.

Exports of goods on a Census basis decreased $6.7 billion.

• Consumer goods decreased $1.8 billion.
  • Pharmaceutical preparations decreased $1.4 billion.
• Industrial supplies and materials decreased $1.8 billion.
  • Crude oil decreased $0.9 billion.
  • Other petroleum products decreased $0.3 billion.
  • Other precious metals decreased $0.3 billion.
  • Fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides decreased $0.3 billion.
• Capital goods decreased $1.4 billion.
  • Computers decreased $0.9 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft increased $1.4 billion.
• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $0.9 billion.
  • Trucks, buses, and special purpose vehicles decreased $0.4 billion.
  • Other automotive parts and accessories decreased $0.3 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments decreased $0.8 billion.

Exports of services increased $0.4 billion to $96.3 billion in December.

• Travel increased $0.3 billion.
• Financial services increased $0.1 billion.

Imports of goods increased $11.4 billion to $293.1 billion in December.

Imports of goods on a Census basis increased $11.3 billion.

• Industrial supplies and materials increased $10.8 billion.
  • Finished metal shapes increased $9.2 billion.
  • Nonmonetary gold increased $1.0 billion.
• Consumer goods increased $2.2 billion.
  • Toys, games, and sporting goods increased $0.8 billion.
  • Cell phones and other household goods increased $0.8 billion.
• Capital goods increased $1.3 billion.
  • Computers increased $1.2 billion.
  • Computer accessories increased $0.9 billion.
  • Civilian aircraft decreased $1.1 billion.
• Automotive vehicles, parts, and engines decreased $2.2 billion.
  • Passenger cars decreased $1.6 billion.

Net balance of payments adjustments increased $0.1 billion.

Imports of services increased $1.0 billion to $71.8 billion in December.

• Transport increased $0.5 billion.
• Travel increased $0.3 billion.

This article was written by Greg Michalowski at www.forexlive.com.