MNI DATA IMPACT:US Q4 Current Account Gap -$134.4b>

By Shikha Dave and Harrison Clarke

     WASHINGTON (MNI) - The U.S. current account deficit widened to 

-$134.4 billion in the fourth quarter, wider than the -$132.3b expected 

by MNI, from a revised -$126.6 billion gap in the previous quarter, data 

released Wednesday by the Commerce Department showed. 

Here are the key findings from the release:

     - The goods and services gap was the primary driver of the wider 

current account gap, widening to -$167.0 billion in the fourth quarter 

from -$162.0 billion in the third quarter. 

     - The primary income surplus widened to $60.4 billion in the fourth 

quarter from $60.3 billion in the previous quarter, while the secondary 

income deficit widened to -$27.8 billion from -$24.9 billion in the 

third quarter.  

     - The current account deficit rose to 2.6% of GDP in the fourth 

quarter from 2.5% in the previous quarter. 

     ** MNI Washington Bureau: 202-371-2121 ** 

[TOPICS: MAUDS$,M$U$$$]