US foreign trade deficit narrows as expected in April

According to the Department of Commerce, in seasonally adjusted terms the US foreign trade deficit fell by 8.2% versus March to reach $68.9bn.

Economists had penciled-in a deficit of -$68.5bn.

Total exports of goods and services were ahead by 1.1% on the month to $205.0bn while imports declined by 1.4% to $273.9bn.

Good exports increased by $1.6bn to $145.3bn, led by a $1.4bn jump in sales of US-made aircraft overseas.

Foreign sales of non-monetary gold declined by $1.3bn alongside.

Imports of goods meanwhile fell by $4.5bn to $232.0bn, led by a $2.6bn drop in those of consumer goods.

Year-to-date, the total trade deficit had widened by 50.5% or $94.5bn from the comaprable year ago period.