U.S. Q3 Current Account Shows $94.8B Deficit, From $96.6B in Q2

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Q3 current account was reported as better than expected at a $94.8 billion deficit or 2.2% of GDP, improved from 2.3% in Q2 or a $1.8 billion betterment. The percentage was the lowest since Q1:1998.

This came despite trade erosion, and as net interest income increased and unilateral transfers (i.e., lower private remittances) fell.

The deficit, an on-going problem as the U.S. continues to import inordinate amounts of foreign goods, mainly was financed via foreigners buying U.S. securities. Foreign private accounts bought $63.4 billion Treasuries, $58.6 billion stocks, $71.7 billion corporate bonds, and $1.3 billion agencies.

Direct investment was down $1.2 billion and U.S. official reserves rose $1 billion over the quarter.

Market News International is a real-time global news service for fixed-income and foreign exchange market professionals. See www.marketnews.com.

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