US: Goods and services deficit was $46.2 bln in April, down $1.0 billion from $47.2 billion in Mar

Eren Sengezer FXStreet

"The goods and services deficit was $46.2 billion in April, down $1.0 billion from $47.2 billion in March, revised," the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced on Wednesday.

Key takeaways from the press release

April exports were $211.2 billion, $0.6 billion more than March exports. April imports were $257.4 billion, $0.4 billion less than March imports.
The April decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $1.0 billion to $68.3 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of less than $0.1 billion to $22.1 billion.
Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $20.8 billion, or 11.5 percent, from the same period in 2017. Exports increased $62.0 billion or 8.1 percent. Imports increased $82.8 billion or 8.7 percent.

Author

Eren Sengezer

FXStreet

As an economist at heart, Eren Sengezer specializes in the assessment of the short-term and long-term impacts of macroeconomic data, central bank policies and political developments on financial assets.

EUR/USD weakens below 1.1700 as Middle East tensions drive US Dollar strength

The EUR/USD pair trades with mild losses around 1.1685, the lowest since late January, during the early Asian session on Tuesday. The US Dollar gathers strength against the Euro as escalating tensions in the Middle East boost safe-haven currencies. The preliminary reading of the Harmonized Index of Consumer Prices from the Eurozone will be published later on Tuesday.

GBP/USD hits new yearly lows near 1.3300

GBP/USD adds to the recent bearish tone, approaching to the key 1.3300 support to reach fresh YTD troughs against the backdrop of the robust performance of the US Dollar. Indeed, Cable’s decline comes amid the firm demand for the safe-haven space in the wake of the US and Israel attacks to Iran.

Gold defends bids as US-Iran war continues to fuel safe-haven flows

Gold retains positive bias for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East continue to underpin safe-haven assets. However, a bullish US Dollar keeps the bullion below its highest level since late January, set on Monday, warranting caution before positioning for any further appreciation.