An example of outright Newspeak in the Business press

[AllentownJake]

March 11 (Bloomberg) -- The trade deficit in the U.S. unexpectedly narrowed in January as demand for foreign oil and automobiles dropped.

The gap decreased 6.6 percent to $37.3 billion from a revised $39.9 billion in December as Americans imported the fewest barrels of crude oil in a decade, Commerce Department figures showed today in Washington. Exports decreased 0.3 percent, the first decline since April, on fewer shipments of commercial aircraft and autos.

Translation, there was less economic activity in December. Both imports and exports decreased, exports decreased less. Less oil was purchased during a season where people typically travel a great deal and need to use it to heat buildings, either that or a bunch of people have solar panels and are now driving prius's with bad breaks

Imports may rebound in coming months as oil prices climb, consumer spending improves and a growing economy prompts companies to replenish depleted inventories. By the same token, the recovery in global growth and a weaker dollar is projected to lift overseas sales at manufacturers including Cisco Systems Inc., signaling factories will keep leading the U.S. expansion.

Monkeys might fly out of my ass, btw the dollar has gotten stronger against other currencies the past month

“Export gains in recent months have been extremely large so it’s unrealistic to expect every month will be a blockbuster,” Nigel Gault, an economist at IHS Global Insight in Lexington, Massachusetts, said before the report. “The trade gap will be fairly steady,” as both exports and imports rise, he said.

There will be no change

The trade gap was projected to widen to $41 billion, from an initially reported $40.2 billion in December, according to the median forecast in a Bloomberg News survey of 73 economists. Projections ranged from deficits of $37 billion to $44 billion.

Exports decreased by $500 million to $142.7 billion. Auto demand from abroad fell by $544 million, while shipments of commercial aircraft declined by $474 million.

There was less commerce. The projections were off because we didn't anticipate people to consume less oil


Just a small example of what you have to do when you read a business publication.