| Definition:
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International Trade also referred to as the trade balance or the trade deficit measures (in billions of dollars) the difference between imports and exports of goods and services. The dollar amount of imports shows how strong U.S. demand is for foreign goods and services and the dollar amount of exports shows the strength of demand abroad for U.S. goods and services.
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| Meaning:
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International Trade represents the whole of the foreign trade picture. The size of the trade balance can directly impact the foreign exchange value of the dollar
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| Weight:
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**
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| Source:
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U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of the Census
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| Availability:
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Data is released mid-month, 7-8 weeks following the reference month
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| Frequency:
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Monthly
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| Coverage:
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2 Month Lag Factor (Data for May are released in July)
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| Volatility:
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Low
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Impact on the Markets:
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| Interest Rates:
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Trade Balance *  =
Interest Rates *deficit becomes less negative
Trade Balance  = Interest Rates
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| Fixed-income:
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Trade Balance * = Bond Market
Trade Balance = Bond Market
Exports = Bond Market
Exports = Bond Market
Imports = Bond Market
Imports = Bond Market
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| Equities:
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Trade Balance * = Equities
Trade Balance = Equities
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| Dollar:
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Trade Balance * = Dollar
Trade Balance = Dollar
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| More Information:
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Department of Commerce: Bureau of the Census
U.S. Department of Commerce: Bureau of Economic Analysis
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