US trade deficit jumped 10,4% to $47,75 billion in November, compared to $43,27 in October. The data was disclosed by the US Department of Commerce and is higher than the expectations of analysts who expected a more contained rise to 45,2 billion.
The decline is the result of the decline in exports, down for the second consecutive month to 177,84 billion (-0,9%) while imports increased by 1,3% to 225,59 billion.
However, import prices in December fell by 0,1% in December, confirming the slowdown trend highlighted in the second half of 2011., linked above all to the drop in oil prices. The figure in this case is perfectly in line with analysts' expectations. On a trend basis, December import prices are up 8,5% on the same month in 2010. While still high, they are down from the annual 13,7% recorded in July 2011.
