Overview: The U.S. trade balance widened 2.5% to $40.4 billion in March.  The U.S. Treasury recorded a deficit of $82.7 billion in April.  Retail sales rose 0.4% in April.  Industrial production was up 0.8% in April.  Business inventories rose 0.4% in March.  Initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to a level of 444,000 for the week ended 5/8.

The U.S. trade balance widened by $1.0 billion, or 2.5%, to $40.4 billion in March as a demand continues to pick up. Imports rose 3.1% while exports were up 3.2%. The April deficit marks a 15-month high.  

The U.S. Treasury registered a significantly higher-than-expected deficit of $82.7 billion in April.  This marks a record-high deficit for the month of April, and is only the second time over the past 27 years that the U.S. has recorded a budget deficit in the month of April. Revenues were down 7.9% from last April while spending was up 13.3%.  

Retail Sales rose 0.4% in April; excluding autos, sales were also up 0.4%.

Industrial production increased 0.8% in April.

Business inventories rose 0.4% in March.

Initial jobless claims fell by 4,000 to 444,000 for the week ended May 8th.