7
February
Trade Deficit in U.S. Probably Widened as Imports Increased to Meet Demand
7 February 2011 Bloomberg.com
The U.S. trade deficit probably widened in December for the first time in four months as the cost of imported oil climbed, economists said before a report this week.
The gap grew to $40.2 billion from the $38.3 billion shortfall in November, according to the median of 58 estimates in a Bloomberg News survey ahead of the Commerce Department’s Feb. 11 report. Other figures may show consumer confidence climbed this month and claims for jobless benefits fell.
