Surprising Drop in US Trade Deficit

In a turn of events that caught many by surprise, the US trade deficit shrank to $147.9 billion in February, marking a significant $7.7 billion decrease from January's figures. This development, revealed by the US Census Bureau in its preliminary report on Thursday, fell short of what analysts had anticipated.

Exports Rise as Imports See a Slight Decline

February saw a notable $7.0 billion increase in goods exports, reaching $178.6 billion, while imports experienced a modest $600 million drop month-on-month, settling at $326.5 billion.

Wholesale Inventories Show Steady Growth

The report also highlighted a 0.3% monthly rise in wholesale inventories, with an estimated end-of-month level of $902.9 billion in February. This represents a 1.1% increase compared to the same month in 2024, underscoring a consistent upward trend.