US trade deficit for goods widened in August

The US Commerce Department said today that the US merchandise trade deficit rose 3.5% to a record $ 82.9 billion in August, compared to a deficit of $ 80.1 billion in July.

Analysts had expected the trade balance deficit of US goods to rise to $ 81.8 billion in August, commodity imports rose 3.1% to $ 201.3 billion, and merchandise exports rose by 2.8% to $ 118.3 billion.

The Commerce Department also said that retail inventories in the US rose 0.8% in August after rising 1.2% in July, and retail inventories excluding cars and parts rose 0.9% in August versus 0.6% in July.