U.S. DEFICIT UP TO $123.1 BLN

BEA - The U.S. current-account deficit increased to $123.1 billion (preliminary) in the second quarter of 2017 from $113.5 billion (revised) in the first quarter of 2017, according to statistics released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The deficit increased to 2.6 percent of current-dollar gross domestic product (GDP) from 2.4 percent in the first quarter. 

The $9.6 billion increase in the current-account deficit reflected a $7.5 billion increase in the deficit on secondary income, a $2.9 billion decrease in the surplus on primary income, and a $0.8 billion increase in the deficit on goods. These changes were partly offset by a $1.6 billion increase in the surplus on services.

Exports of goods and services and income receipts increased $2.2 billion in the second quarter to $836.8 billion.

* Primary income receipts increased $4.8 billion to $224.1 billion, mostly reflecting increases in portfolio investment income and in other investment income.

* Services exports increased $3.2 billion to $195.8 billion, mostly reflecting increases in travel (for all purposes including education) and in financial services.

* Secondary income receipts decreased $5.2 billion to $33.9 billion, partly offsetting the increases in primary income receipts and services exports. The decrease in secondary income receipts mostly reflected a decrease in U.S. government transfers, primarily fines and penalties.

Imports of goods and services and income payments increased $11.8 billion to $959.9 billion.

* Primary income payments increased $7.6 billion to $176.9 billion, reflecting increases in direct, portfolio, and other investment income.

* Secondary income payments increased $2.4 billion to $66.9 billion, mostly reflecting an increase in private transfers, primarily fines and penalties.

* Services imports increased $1.6 billion to $131.8 billion, led by an increase in travel (for all purposes including education).

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