Usa, the recovery continues to limp: applications for subsidies drop, but only slightly

The latest macro data from the United States show a widening of the current account deficit, a drop in applications for unemployment benefits and some signs of recovery on the building site front. Even if the pace of the possible recovery remains at least uncertain. In the first quarter of the year, the US current account deficit grew, reaching $119,3 billion. The data, which measures the flows of goods, services and investments into and out of the United States, thus rose to 3,2% of American gross domestic product from 3% in the fourth quarter of 2010. Applications for subsidies even if the figure did not go below the psychological barrier of 400 thousand "claims". In the week ended June 11, requests totaled 414 against 430 in the previous seven days. However, the figure is better than that expected by various analysts who expected a figure close to 420 applications. The fact remains that in the last two months the number has remained above 400 thousand, confirming the difficulties that are accompanying the exit from the crisis. More positive signals, at least from an economic point of view, on the front of construction sites for new homes. The figure for May is 560 units, 3,5% more than in April. In trend terms, however, there is still a decline (by 3,4%) compared to 12 months ago.