| Consensus | Consensus Range | Actual | Previous | Revised | |
| Balance | $-227.0B | $-241.0B to $-177.5B | $-226.8B | $-190.7B | $-221.1B |
Highlights
The deficit matches expectations at $226.8 billion for Q1 versus $227.0 billion in the Econoday consensus forecast. The Q4 figure was revised up to show a deficit of $221.1 billion from the $190.7 billion previously reported.
The $5.8 billion widening of the current-account deficit in the first quarter reflects a shift in the primary income balance from a surplus in the fourth quarter to a deficit in the first quarter that was partly offset by a reduced deficit on goods.
Market Consensus Before Announcement
The current account gap is expected wider at $227 billion in Q1 from $190.7 billion in Q4.
Definition
The current account, on a quarterly basis, measures the U.S. international balance in goods and services trade as well as unilateral transfers. (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
Description
U.S. trade with foreign countries holds important clues to economic trends here and abroad. The data can directly impact all the financial markets, but especially the foreign exchange value of the dollar. The dollar can be particularly sensitive to changes in the chronic trade deficit run by the United States since this trade imbalance creates greater demand for foreign currencies.
The bond market is very sensitive to the risk of importing inflation or deflation. When Asian economies collapsed at the end of 1997, bond and equity investors feared that deflation in these economies would be transported to the United States. While goods inflation did decline modestly and momentarily, service inflation kept on ticking. Thus, the linkage is not so direct.
A chronic current account deficit also suggests that consumers and businesses in the United States are outspending their income. We are living on credit while foreigners are paying for our profligate ways.