US Goods Trade Deficit Sees Significant Decrease in February

In a surprising turn of events, the US trade deficit narrowed to $147.9 billion in February, marking a $7.7 billion decrease from January's figures. This development, as reported by the US Census Bureau in its preliminary findings on Thursday, has caught analysts off guard, falling short of their expectations.

Exports Rise and Imports Dip

Exports of goods saw a notable increase, climbing by $7.0 billion from the previous month to reach $178.6 billion. Conversely, imports experienced a slight downturn, decreasing by $600 million month-on-month to settle at $326.5 billion.

Wholesale Inventories Show Steady Growth

Adding to the positive economic indicators, wholesale inventories grew by 0.3% on a monthly basis, reaching an estimated $902.9 billion by the end of February. This represents a 1.1% increase compared to the same period in 2024, underscoring a robust upward trend in inventory levels.