Following October's disappointing bounce in the US trade deficit, it was only expected that the November data would come leaps and bounds ahead of the expected $40 billion print, instead sliding 12.9% to $34.3 billion from October's revised $39.3 billion - this was the lowest monthly trade deficit since October 2009. The delta was the result of a modest boost in exports, up $1.7 billion, to a record high of $194.9 billion, compounded by a more pronounced slide in imports, which were $3.4 billion less than October's $232.5 billion. Some other highlights: exports to China climbed to a record high (we certainly expect "matching" Chinese exports to the US to also rise to a record when reported next), while the US petroleum deficit was the lowest since May 2009 thanks to shale.
Charting US Trade:
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And just with China:
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Key increaseas and decreases of exports and imports:
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Trade with some key trading partners:
- The goods deficit with China decreased from $28.9 billion in October to $26.9 billion in November. Exports increased $0.1 billion (primarily soybeans and corn) to $13.2 billion, while imports decreased $1.8 billion (primarily toys, games, and sporting goods and apparel) to $40.1 billion.
- The goods deficit with the European Union decreased from $14.3 billion in October to $10.1 billion in November. Exports decreased $0.2 billion (primarily artwork, antiques, stamps, etc. and organic chemicals) to $22.9 billion, while imports decreased $4.4 billion (primarily pharmaceutical preparations) to $33.0 billion.
- The goods deficit with Canada decreased from $2.8 billion in October to $1.5 billion in November. Exports decreased $1.3 billion (primarily petroleum products and automobiles) to $25.7 billion, while imports decreased $2.7 billion (primarily crude oil) to $27.1 billion.
A visual summary from Bloomberg:
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Breaking down the goods trade by category:
- The October to November increase in exports of goods reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($0.7 billion); other goods ($0.5 billion); capital goods ($0.3 billion); and automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.1 billion). Decreases occurred in consumer goods ($0.5 billion) and foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.1 billion).
- The October to November decrease in imports of goods reflected decreases in industrial supplies and materials ($4.3 billion); other goods ($0.8 billion); foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.3 billion); and consumer goods ($0.1 billion). Increases occurred in automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.1 billion) and capital goods ($0.9 billion).
- The November 2012 to November 2013 increase in exports of goods reflected increases in industrial supplies and materials ($3.1 billion); capital goods ($1.2 billion); foods, feeds, and beverages ($1.1 billion); automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($0.8 billion); other goods ($0.6 billion); and consumer goods ($0.5 billion).
- The November 2012 to November 2013 decrease in imports of goods reflected decreases in industrial supplies and materials ($6.9 billion); other goods ($0.3 billion); and consumer goods ($0.3 billion). Increases occurred in capital goods ($2.2 billion); automotive vehicles, parts, and engines ($1.6 billion); and foods, feeds, and beverages ($0.2 billion)
And since the net impact of the plunge in the deficit means a higher Q4 GDP estimate by about 0.3% (and an offset of weaker Q1 GDP when the drop in imports will come back to haunt the US), it also means that the Fed will likely extract another $10 billion from the monthly QE flow at its next opportunity.