外匯市場最新訊息

May 2, 2024

United States (U.S.) Trade Deficit Narrows Slightly To $69.4 Billion In March; Labor Productivity Rises Less Than Expected in Q1; Weekly Jobless Claims Unchanged At 208,000

The U.S. trade deficit edged slightly lower in March, according to a report released by the Commerce Department. The Commerce Department said the trade deficit narrowed to $69.4 billion in March from a revised $69.5 billion in February. Economists had expected the trade deficit to inch up to $69.1 billion from the $68.9 billion originally reported the previous month. The report said the value of imports slumped by 1.6% to $327.0 billion in March after surging by 2.3% to $332.4 billion in February. The sharp pullback by imports largely reflected a steep drop in imports of automotive vehicles, parts, and engines. Imports of industrial supplies and materials, cell phones, and other household goods also decreased, while imports of pharmaceuticals increased.

The Commerce Department said the value of exports also tumbled by 2.0% to $257.6 billion in March after jumping by 2.2% to $262.9 billion in February. Exports of capital goods, industrial supplies and materials, foods, feeds and beverages all decreased. The report also said the goods deficit rose to $92.5 billion in March from $91.7 billion in February, while the services surplus widened to $23.1 billion from $22.2 billion. 05/02/2024 - 09:52:00 (RTTNews)

A report released by the Labor Department showed labor productivity in the U.S. increased by less than expected in the first quarter of 2024. The Labor Department said labor productivity rose by 0.3% in the first quarter after spiking by a revised 3.5% in the fourth quarter. Economists had expected productivity to climb by 0.8% compared to the 3.2% surge that had been reported the previous quarter. Meanwhile, the report said unit labor costs soared by 4.7% in the first quarter following a revised unchanged reading in the fourth quarter. Economists had expected labor costs to shoot up by 3.2% compared to the 0.4% increase that had been reported the previous quarter. 05/02/2024 - 08:41:00 (RTTNews)

With the more closely watched monthly jobs report looming, the Labor Department released a report showing first-time claims for U.S. unemployment benefits remained flat in the week ended April 27. The report said initial jobless claims came in 208,000, unchanged from the previous week's upwardly revised level. Economists had expected jobless claims to inch up to 212,000 from the 207,000 originally reported.

Meanwhile, the Labor Department said the less volatile four-week moving average dipped to 210,000, a decrease of 3,500 from the previous week's revised average of 213,500. 05/02/2024 - 08:34:00 (RTTNews)