US trade deficit widens in January, jobless claims decrease

The U.S. trade deficit widened in January whereas the jobless claims decreased in the week ending March 2, official data showed here Thursday.  The Department of Commerce indicated that the total January exports of USD 184.5 billion and imports of USD 228.9 billion resulted in a goods and services deficit of USD 44.4 billion, up from USD 38.1 billion in December.  It added that January exports were USD 2.2 billion less than December exports of USD 186.6 billion, whereas January imports were USD 4.1 billion more than December imports of USD 224.8 billion.  In January, the goods deficit increased USD 5.7 billion from December to USD 61.8 billion and the services surplus decreased USD 0.6 billion from December to USD 17.3 billion.  Exports of goods decreased USD 2.0 billion to USD 130.8 billion and imports of goods increased USD 3.6 billion to USD 192.5 billion. Exports of services decreased by USD 0.1 billion to USD 53.7 billion and imports of services increased USD 0.5 billion to USD 36.4 billion.  The goods and services deficit decreased USD 7.8 billion from January 2012 to January 2013 and exports were up USD 5.8 billion, or 3.3 percent, and imports were down USD 2.0 billion, or 0.9 percent.  Meanwhile, the Department of Labor indicated in a report that in the week ending March 2, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 340,000, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week\'s revised figure of 347, 000.  The four-week moving average was 348,750, a decrease of 7,000 from the previous week\'s revised average of 355,750.  The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured unemployment during the week ending February 23 was 3,094,000, an increase of 3,000 from the preceding week\'s revised level of 3,091,000. It added that the four-week moving average was 3,121,750, a decrease of 37, 500 from the preceding week\'s revised average of 3,159,250. (end) si.gb KUNA 072105 Mar 13NNNN