December 17, 2015
The U.S. current-account deficit – a net measure of transactions between the United States and the rest of the world in goods, services, primary income (investment income and compensation), and secondary income (current transfers) – increased to $124.1 billion (preliminary) in the third quarter of 2015 from $111.1 billion (revised) in the second quarter of 2015. As a percentage of U.S. GDP, the deficit increased to 2.7 percent from 2.5 percent. The previously published current-account deficit for the second quarter was $109.7 billion.
- The deficit on international trade in goods increased to $190.0 billion from $189.2 billion as goods exports decreased more than goods imports.
- The surplus on international trade in services increased to $56.3 billion from $56.1 billion as services exports increased more than services imports.
- The surplus on primary income decreased to $46.1 billion from $52.8 billion as primary income payments increased and primary income receipts decreased.
- The deficit on secondary income (current transfers) increased to $36.6 billion from $30.8 billion as secondary income receipts decreased and secondary income payments increased.
Net U.S. borrowing from financial-account transactions was $24.7 billion in the third quarter, down from $61.3 billion in the second.
- Net U.S. sales of financial assets excluding financial derivatives was $89.9 billion in the third quarter, a shift from net acquisition of $141.2 billion in the second.
- Net U.S. repayment of liabilities excluding financial derivatives was $64.6 billion in the third quarter, a shift from net incurrence of $204.3 billion in the second.
- Net lending in financial derivatives other than reserves was $0.7 billion in the third quarter, down from $1.8 billion in the second.
For more information, read the full report.