BEA

As the earliest data on 2018 trade trickles in, Atlas is reminded of deceleration.  According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), America’s trade deficit worsened to $56.6 billion in January 2018.  Adding to the dour tone of this release, December’s shortfall intensified to $53.9 billion (originally $53.1 billion).  Since net exports are added to the other compo

Fourth quarter 2017 gross domestic product (GDP) was revised down marginally after more complete data were gathered.  The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) downgraded the annualized growth rate to 2.5 percent from 2.6 percent in the first estimate.  With a change as minor as this, the overall picture of economic growth remains the same.

America’s leadership in the global economic expansion is evident in the November 2017 Trade Balance report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  America is increasing its purchases from foreign countries faster than trading partners are increasing their purchases from our nation; an important takeaway is that both imports and exports are expanding.  With a shortfall of $50.5 bi

America’s trade deficit worsened as the fourth quarter of 2017 got underway.  According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, our nation’s trading shortfall reached $48.7 billion, up from the downwardly revised chasm of $44.9 billion in September (originally $43.5 billion).  In short, the two components of trade (imports and exports) moved in opposite directions.

Economic output in America from July through September 2017 was even better than first counted.  With more complete data collected, the Bureau of Economic Analysis now estimates gross domestic product (GDP) grew 3.3 percent on an inflation-adjusted annualized basis during the third quarter of this year, upwardly revised from 3.0 percent in the earliest estimate.  Output improved by th

Data were mixed in the latest release on International Trade from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  On the one hand, the trade deficit increased which will subtract from gross domestic product (GDP).  On the other hand, both components of the indicator increased versus a month earlier, suggesting growing global output.  In total, the trade deficit increased to $43.5 billion in Se

America’s trade imbalance improved in August 2017 according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Following July’s upwardly revised trade deficit of $43.6 billion (originally $43.7 billion), our nation’s shortfall improved to minus $42.4 billion.  This narrowing was a result of increased exports and falling imports.  More specifically, A

Income and outlays improved in August 2017 according to the most recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal income rose 0.2 percent or $28.6 billion. Subtracting taxes, disposable personal income (DPI) increased $14.9 billion or 0.1 percent.

The estimate for output growth during the second quarter of 2017 was revised marginally higher by the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Their third and “final” attempt to quantify gross domestic product (GDP) indicates the economy grew 3.1 percent on an inflation-adjusted, annualized basis versus 3.0 in the second estimate.  For comparison, GDP increased just 1.2 percent from

America’s trade deficit widened a little in July according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Growing $200 million to $43.7 billion from the revised tally of $43.5 billion (originally $43.6 billion), our nation’s trading shortfall gave back a portion of the prior month’s $2.8 billon improvement.  Nonetheless, America continues to import much more that it exports.&n