US February trade balance at $-57.6 billion

"The goods and services deficit was $57.6 billion in February, up $0.9 billion from $56.7 billion in January, revised," the US Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis announced this Thursday.

Key highlights:

   •  February exports were $204.4 billion, $3.5 billion more than January exports. February imports were $262.0 billion, $4.4 billion more than January imports.

   •  The February increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.3 billion to $77.0 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.6 billion to $19.4 billion.

   •  Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $21.1 billion, or 22.7 percent, from the same period in 2017. Exports increased $22.4 billion or 5.9 percent. Imports increased $43.6 billion or 9.1 percent.