Latest data showed that the goods and services deficit was $46.6 billion in December, up $6.8 billion from $39.8 billion in November, revised. Decrease to $38.0 billion was predicted. December exports were $194.9 billion, down $1.5 billion from November. December imports were $241.4 billion, up $5.3 billion from November. The December increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $6.9 billion to $66.0 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $19.5 billion.
Separate report on
Unemployment Claims showed that
in the week ending January 31, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 278,000, an increase of 11,000 from the previous week's revised level. Analsyts were anticipating increase to 287,000. The 4-week moving average was 292,750, a decrease of 6,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 298,500 to 299,250.
After the data USD weakened against its major rivals. Euro is currently being traded few points above 1.1410 level, Sterling is slightly below 1.53 handle, while Aussie is above 0.78 area.