WASHINGTON — The federal government ran a $172.1 billion budget deficit in November after running $119.9 billion in the red the previous month, the Treasury Department reported Wednesday.
The November deficit was larger than the $147.5 billion shortfall projected by economists polled by Thomson Reuters, and surpassed the $137.3 billion deficit in November 2011.
However, adjustments made to factor in transfers of Federal Reserve earnings to the Treasury in November 2012 and a shift of outlays stemming from Dec. 1 not being a business day means the year-over-year total is nearly flat, according to the Treasury.
November outlays totaled $333.8 billion, a 15% increase from $289.7 billion in November 2011. Receipts were $161.7 billion, a 6% bump from $152.4 billion a year ago.
