US: Trade deficit drops to $51.1 billion vs $57 billion expected

"The goods and services deficit was $51.1 billion in January, down $8.8 billion from $59.9 billion in December, revised," te U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis jointly announced today.

Key takeaways from the press release

• January exports were $207.3 billion, $1.9 billion more than December exports.
• January imports were $258.5 billion, $6.8 billion less than December imports.
• The January decrease in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $8.2 billion to $73.3 billion and an increase in the services surplus of $0.5 billion to $22.1 billion
• Year-over-year, the goods and services deficit decreased $1.9 billion, or 3.7 percent, from January 2018.
  • Exports increased $6.1 billion or 3.0 percent. Imports increased $4.1 billion or 1.6 percent.