United States Current Account

The United States reported a current account deficit equivalent to 124 billion USD in the fourth quarter of 2011. Historically, from 1960 until 2011, the United States Current Account averaged -41.6400 Billion USD reaching an all time high of 9.9600 Billion USD in March of 1991 and a record low of -214.5400 Billion USD in September of 2006. Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid). This page includes a chart with historical data for the United States Current Account.


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United States Current Account


Current Account
Current Account is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor income (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid). The balance of trade is typically the most important part of the current account. This means that changes in the patterns of trade are key drivers in the current accounts of most of the world's economies. However, for the few countries with substantial overseas assets or liabilities, net factor payments may be significant. Positive net sales to abroad generally contributes to a current account surplus; negative net sales to abroad generally contributes to a current account deficit. Because exports generate positive net sales, and because the trade balance is typically the largest component of the current account, a current account surplus is usually associated with positive net exports. The net factor income or income account, a sub-account of the current account, is usually presented under the headings income payments as outflows, and income receipts as inflows. Income refers not only to the money received from investments made abroad (note: investments are recorded in the capital account but income from investments is recorded in the current account) but also to the money sent by individuals working abroad, known as remittances, to their families back home. If the income account is negative, the country is paying more than it is taking in interest, dividends, etc. For example, the United States' net income has been declining exponentially since it has allowed the dollar's price relative to other currencies to be determined by the market to a point where income payments and receipts are roughly equal of trade forms part of the current account, which also includes other transactions such as income from the international investment position as well as international aid. If the current account is in surplus, the country's net international asset position increases correspondingly. Equally, a deficit decreases the net international asset position.



UNITED STATES NEWS

U.S. Annual Inflation Down to 2.3% in April
Published: 5/15/2012 1:35:37 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.3 percent before seasonal adjustment.

U.S. Trade Deficit Widens in March
Published: 5/10/2012 1:41:51 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Census Bureau
Total March exports of $186.8 billion and imports of $238.6 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $51.8 billion, up from $45.4 billion in February, revised. March exports were $5.3 billion more than February exports of $181.5 billion. March imports were $11.7 billion more than February imports of $226.9 billion.

U.S. GDP Up 2.2% in Q1
Published: 5/7/2012 4:44:08 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
U.S. real gross domestic product increased at an annual rate of 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2012 (that is, from the fourth quarter to the first quarter), according to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. In the fourth quarter of 2011, real GDP increased 3.0 percent.

U.S. Unemployment Down to 8.1% in April, Nonfarm Payrolls Up 115K
Published: 5/4/2012 1:41:07 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
U.S. Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 115,000 in April, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.1 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Employment increased in professional and business services, retail trade, and health care, but declined in transportation and warehousing.

U.S. Federal Reserve Reaffirms Low-Rate Policy
Published: 4/25/2012 9:09:14 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, Fed
U.S. Federal Reserve on April 25th confirmed the plan to keep short-term interest rates near zero through late 2014 and modestly toned down their assessment of the economy's performance.

U.S. Annual Inflation Rate Down to 2.7% in March
Published: 4/13/2012 1:34:59 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3 percent in March on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

U.S. Trade Deficit Narrows in February
Published: 4/12/2012 1:37:02 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Total February exports of $181.2 billion and imports of $227.2 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of $46.0 billion, down from $52.5 billion in January, revised. February exports were $0.2 billion more than January exports of $180.9 billion. February imports were $6.3 billion less than January imports of $233.4 billion.

U.S. Added 120K Jobs in March, Unemployment At 8.2%
Published: 4/6/2012 1:37:03 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 120,000 in March, and the unemployment rate was little changed at 8.2 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Employment rose in manufacturing, food services and drinking places, and health care, but was down in retail trade.

U.S. Annual Inflation Rate at 2.9% in February
Published: 3/16/2012 7:09:42 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.4 percent in February on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 2.9 percent before seasonal adjustment.

U.S. Fed Keeps Monetary Policy Unchanged
Published: 3/13/2012 6:38:37 PM By: TradingEconomics.com, Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve acknowledged recent signs of strength in the economy and said recent financial market strains have eased, offering few clues on the chances for further monetary easing.

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