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US Trade Balance Worst In 39 Months With Largest 3 Month Drop In 20 Years

Tyler Durden's picture




 

While NFP dominated the headlines, the US Trade Balance (deficit) limped out and dropped far more than expected. At a $52.565bn Deficit, this is the worst trade balance since October 2008. Perhaps more shocking is the fact that the 3 month drop (rise in deficit) is the largest ever on record, dropping $9.4bn in that period. Unsurprisingly, the bulk of this drop is in the 'Petroleum' trade balance which has accelerated the most in the last 3 months (coincidentally dropping the most since last March and we know how that ended).

The deficit is rising...

 

and reaccelerating...

 

Charts: Bloomberg

 

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Fri, 03/09/2012 - 09:56 | 2239300 Irish66
Irish66's picture

All this good is making me nuts!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:05 | 2239330 brewing
brewing's picture

who cares, nfp was a beat...

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:39 | 2239621 sunny
sunny's picture

Exactly.  The market's concern for hard data is measured in microgivashitz as long as we have really nice (fabricated) employment numbers and the iPad 3.

sunny

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:56 | 2239982 economics1996
economics1996's picture

“But if the GDP is down 9% and we can borrow 12% that will be a 3% increase and I will get re-elected, spend that money!!!  Its all about me.”

The stupidest president of all time?  Obama. 

 

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:59 | 2239999 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

You misspelled his name B-U-S-H...

And it ain't even close...

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:06 | 2240029 economics1996
economics1996's picture

But they both graduated Harvard?  Maybe a tie?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:13 | 2240056 Flakmeister
Flakmeister's picture

Naw.... Bush by the equivalent of a 9-0 SCOTUS decision...

Obama is very smart.... He's just spineless...

Bush was clueless.... If his grandpappy wasn't who he was, he would be pumping gas and collecting junkers in his front yard.... 

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:32 | 2240135 smiler03
smiler03's picture

How did this bad news escape the censors?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:05 | 2239331 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

These pretzels are making me thirsty!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:09 | 2239344 LongSoupLine
LongSoupLine's picture

uhhh hello??...new iPad?...what problem?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:20 | 2239548 tabasco71
tabasco71's picture

was it the same price as the last one?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:20 | 2239372 midtowng
midtowng's picture

Let's see: you boost an economy by borrowing crazy amounts of money while not fixing the fact that our manufacturing sector has been gutted. What do you think the future of our trade deficit is going to look like if this recovery actually takes root? And who is going to finance it?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:04 | 2239497 duo
duo's picture

Where is it in my economic best interest to buy a product built by union workers from a company propped up by bailouts.?  All their profits will be funneled some way or another back to the Democratic party.  I won't buy any product from a company that has an Obamacare exemption.

We can't fight corporate fascism by complaining about the politicians only.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:38 | 2239877 midtowng
midtowng's picture

That's not anywhere close to my point, however I'll answer that question:

Because it is in the best interest that your neighbor gets ahead. That way he can buy a house, as opposed to getting foreclosed on and fucking up the real estate in your neighborhood.

  It's in your best interest that people in your community have jobs, rather than get desperate and turn to crime.

Those are just some examples.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:04 | 2240017 economics1996
economics1996's picture

The best was to have jobs is to shrink the size of the federal government from 24.1% of the GDP to 18% of the GDP.  

The best way to have balance of trade on even terms is to stop the deficits.  

If China can't buy the fricking bonds to finance the deficit then they can't ship their crap over here because it will not be financed.  That deficit is financed by someone.

Gold/silver 100% fractional banking reserves would create one world currency, balanced federal budgets, balanced world trade.

The politicians purposely run up the deficits, budget and trade, to make the people feel wealthier than what is really the case.  The purposely sabotage the economy to get re-elected.

This shit will end, soon.

 

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:41 | 2240182 taxpayer102
taxpayer102's picture

@midtowng

Your examples are basic "economics", essential for sustaining individuals, families and communities. Economic experts debate everything under the sun except the basics.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 09:57 | 2239302 Capitalist
Capitalist's picture

Obviously importing more iPads to feed all those on foodstamps.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:05 | 2240023 economics1996
economics1996's picture

Yep.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:00 | 2239314 kill switch
kill switch's picture

Finally some encouraging news!!!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:00 | 2239315 disabledvet
disabledvet's picture

And Greece..."comes to America." Funny how the propaganda only accelerates the boondoggle.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:01 | 2239317 Racer
Racer's picture

Fake market influenced by fake figures

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:00 | 2239318 JPM Hater001
JPM Hater001's picture

PM's open with a solid drop.  Cant wait to see the markets ignore this one.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:44 | 2239641 Overflow-admin
Overflow-admin's picture

And... it's gone.

 

Silver is $34.24 now, recovered as quickly as it fell.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:02 | 2239322 espirit
espirit's picture

Hocum-Pocum.  All other currencies fell out of bed at 0830 Eastern and the dollah is unchanged.

Drum roll please... futes are up.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:02 | 2239324 Dr. Engali
Dr. Engali's picture

Nobody wants what Babylon is offering.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:06 | 2239336 Global Hunter
Global Hunter's picture

Keep on keeping on with life away from Babylon, the citizens of that crumbling civilization are due for a nasty shock...

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:10 | 2239349 francis_sawyer
francis_sawyer's picture

The only thing I want from Babylon is the kings head on a silver platter...

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:19 | 2239369 bdc63
bdc63's picture

... key word in that sentence being "silver" ...

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:04 | 2239326 LookingWithAmazement
LookingWithAmazement's picture

The deficit is rising...good news, Americans are consuming again, have confidence in the future. A new boom has begun. Enjoy the party!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:14 | 2239358 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

No stupid, the AMOUNT of 'consuming' is NOT up at all! Just that what IS being bought is being charged to a credit card!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:20 | 2239371 tabasco71
tabasco71's picture

so, we're back into a credit bubble again, and that was pretty fun the last time (regardless of pretty much anything else).

Orgy-porgy!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:04 | 2239328 Jim in MN
Jim in MN's picture

Huge jerk up in DXY US dollar index, get your helmets on.  Smashmouth time.  May be 'now or never' effort to get wholesale gasoline down.  PMs in for major collateral damage.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:11 | 2239355 fuu
fuu's picture

I love a good sale on Friday.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:05 | 2239333 dvsteenk
dvsteenk's picture

somehow this trade balance news is being completely ignored on Bloomberg, all focus on the "number beat" of jobs, i wonder why

perhaps they will address it if or when the market turns down, you know we need continuous "explanation" of 0.04% upticks or downticks in futures

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:06 | 2239335 monopoly
monopoly's picture

I wish Zero Hedge would not bother us with these mundane details. Lets concentrate on what is important. More eating out and having fun. Mickey D and Burger King rocking. And we are buying more stuff. Getting those credit cards revved up again. Maybe inflate those bank bonus's that were down a tad this year. How do they make it on $350,000.00 a year? And they contribute so much to the economy.

But gold is getting hit this morning. Market to follow? 

Man, I can just taste this "sell the news" market today.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:11 | 2239346 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

What, maaaan? We're all totaly stoned on NFP hopium leave us alone with this bad news maaaan harshin our buzz!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:15 | 2239362 AcidRastaHead
AcidRastaHead's picture

Sing it strong brother!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:10 | 2239348 Sweet Chicken
Sweet Chicken's picture

I like turtles.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:12 | 2239357 rsnoble
rsnoble's picture

But, but.........there was no mention of this on the finance page??

Someone knows about it or futures would be pumped more than they are, the retail that read the finance headlines are the buyers.

And don't forget.......all big rallies usually end on super good news.

You can tell this market is worn out at these levels.  I don't trust it.  I'm not saying a new high isn't possible but you better keep an eye on it.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:37 | 2239360 tabasco71
tabasco71's picture

as my favourite market commentators (the bears) say:

when you have the bailouts...

...you don't need to sell anything

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:15 | 2239361 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

'Trade deficit'...lol what trade what do we make anymore? Scrap metal metal to China from Kash fer Klunkers?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:07 | 2239720 Kali
Kali's picture

bunkerbusters

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:17 | 2239365 Bold Eagle
Bold Eagle's picture

And I was hoping that the unprecedent manufacturing boom will boost the US GDP. Maybe the Fed need to expand its balance sheet more, like the ECB just did.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:20 | 2239374 Caviar Emptor
Caviar Emptor's picture

And so goes our Biflationary mess: the slightest uptick in economic activity and employment will promptly be met by inflationary headwinds. Hence the dramatic change in the trade deficit in return for a piddling amount of economic lift. The trend continues until we reach stall speed and then get another round of "softness" and delevering (aka deflation)

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:24 | 2239389 SheepDog-One
SheepDog-One's picture

Or another 'event' out of the blue like maybe Tel Aviv 'tragic attack by Iran' over one of these nites killing hundreds of Israelis green-lighting Iran invasion....has to be a false flag here because the war against Iran they need so desperately is at a stalemate, no one supports it at all....watch the false flag its a real mother. 

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:29 | 2239408 Caviar Emptor
Caviar Emptor's picture

I hear there's a secret project to tunnel through earth's core and suck the oil out from underneath. That'll show 'em 

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:26 | 2239394 overmedicatedun...
overmedicatedundersexed's picture

leon panetta is checking these numbers with the UN, after all if they OK our military actions why not the numbers from treasury and BLS..hmmmm

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:29 | 2239404 KandiRaverHipster
KandiRaverHipster's picture

asalamaleka just de-link the dollar from crude already!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:31 | 2239411 Village Smithy
Village Smithy's picture

Forced to buy more imports with a declining dollar and inspite of the declining dollar no one seems to want to buy our exports. That would concern me if I were on the Federal Reserve Board... and I actually gave a shit.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:36 | 2239428 urbanelf
urbanelf's picture

The bad news is that they only want to buy our gasoline.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:30 | 2239845 earleflorida
earleflorida's picture

"MIC" to the rescue helping the trade balance - how patriotic?

"U.S. Finalizes $30 Billion Weapons Deal with Saudi Arabia" *12/29/11 http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/u-s-finalizes-30-billion-weapons...

Ps. the most repressive regime in the entire middle-east,... second to none

Ps2. but wait, there's more, Kuwait, Oman, and Pakistan waiting with bated breath.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:32 | 2239417 rsnoble
rsnoble's picture

Now look, my memory is bad but I know for sure the last time we reported "huge demand for US vehicles cuts foreign imports" now today it's "huge demand for foreign imports". These bastards just never give up do they?

Of course we all know where the demand for the US vehicles are........the dealership parking lots.  Probably be the same at the KIA parking lot "yes, we have 75 vehicles of each model on our lots for you to choose from at all times......some are even stacked 6 high!"

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:33 | 2239419 slewie the pi-rat
slewie the pi-rat's picture

direct GDP shot

more goobermint spending will surely be the centralPlanner's remedy

Sat, 03/10/2012 - 00:37 | 2242499 StychoKiller
StychoKiller's picture

All right, WHO gave you a copy of the RomneyBama script?

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:38 | 2239434 davood
davood's picture

Worst trade balance for whom?

That's $52.565bn (at least) monopoly dollars for real goods and services produced by the sweat, blood and tears of the world's slave labor.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:43 | 2239450 espirit
espirit's picture

With a tangible value of say... a tenth of that?  iCry.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:51 | 2239469 ElvisDog
ElvisDog's picture

But, But, But, Obama told us that exports were booming and that we were on track to double our exports within 5 years???????

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:52 | 2239472 oogs66
oogs66's picture

Entire world is going to export their way to prosperity

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 12:31 | 2239847 lizzy36
lizzy36's picture

Currency wars and the Island of Misfit Toys (where i assume 50% of all exports end up) are going to be most prosperous.

The whole green energy thing going sooooo well.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 10:53 | 2239475 azzhatter
azzhatter's picture

Japan has now joined us on the current account deficit. This will end well

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:02 | 2239486 Quinvarius
Quinvarius's picture

Expect the trade deficit to go parabolic as the dollar continues to erode in purchasing power.  I think it will easily cross 1/4 trillion a month in a couple years.  That is my low end estimate. The government is not letting capitalism work to expand exports while at the same time the value of the currency is being massively debased.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:04 | 2239499 besnook
besnook's picture

the petro dollar is king.....until the petro yuan takes over.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:15 | 2239527 cnhedge
Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:16 | 2239535 Judge Arrow
Judge Arrow's picture

Elevator down,please.

Sorry,you'll have to jump.

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:29 | 2239583 trilliontroll
trilliontroll's picture

Keep on spending in the free world

(tune: Neil Young - Keep on rocking in the free world)

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:35 | 2239611 forrestdweller
forrestdweller's picture

filling up your shops with chinese shit, and giving them your dollars.

what's the difference.

 

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:52 | 2239674 Flakmeister
Fri, 03/09/2012 - 11:55 | 2239685 Stuck on Zero
Stuck on Zero's picture

Memorandum from the Office of the President

To:  Ben Bernanke

From: Pres. Obama

Subject: Trade Deficit

Message: Print!

Fri, 03/09/2012 - 13:28 | 2240109 flyingpigg
flyingpigg's picture

From:  Ben Bernanke

To: Pres. Obama

Subject: Trade Deficit

Message: OK Sir, I'm on my way to the helicopter pad

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