Trade Deficit in U.S. Unexpectedly Widened in February

The trade deficit in the U.S. unexpectedly widened in February to the highest level in five months as exports of fuels and capital equipment dropped.

The gap widened by 7.7 percent to $42.3 billion, the biggest since September, from the prior month’s $39.3 billion, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of 69 economists called for a reduction to $38.5 billion. Imports were little changed.