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Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson on U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services in October 2011

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Commerce John E. Bryson issued the following statement today on the release of the October 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Today’s report showed that U.S. exports of goods and services in October 2011 decreased 0.8 percent from September 2011 to $179.2 billion, with this month’s exports of capital goods ($42.3 billion) the highest on record. U.S. imports of goods and services also decreased by 1.0 percent to reach $222.6 billion, causing the U.S. trade deficit to improve by 1.6 percent to reach $43.5 billion in October 2011, the lowest monthly deficit level in 2011.

 

October Personal Income Statement from Commerce Department Chief Economist Mark Doms

Washington, DC. The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis today released data on personal income and outlays for October 2011. Personal income rose 0.4 percent in October, exceeding private-sector forecasts of a 0.3 percent increase. Wages and salaries, the largest part of income, rose 0.5 percent. Real consumer spending edged up 0.1 percent, compared to expectations of a 0.3 percent rise. This followed a pickup of 0.5 percent in September, however.

Statement from Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank on U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services in September 2011

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Acting Deputy Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank issued the following statement today on the release of the September 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Today’s report showed that U.S. exports of goods and services in September 2011 increased 1.4 percent from August 2011 to a record $180.4 billion.  This month’s exports of goods ($129.3 billion) were the highest on record, with record exports in both industrial supplies and materials ($44.4 billion) and consumer goods ($15.4 billion).  U.S. imports of goods and services also increased by a slight 0.3 percent to reach $223.5 billion, causing the U.S.

New Commerce Department Report Shows Broadband Adoption Rises but Digital Divide Persists

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Adoption Gap Remains Along Demographic Lines,

Socio-Economic Status Does Not Explain the Entire Gap

Statement from U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson on the Advance Estimate of Gross Domestic Product in the Third Quarter 2011

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis today released the advance estimate of gross domestic product (GDP) for the third quarter of 2011.  Real GDP rose 2.5 percent at an annual rate, consistent with private-sector expectations and up from the 1.3 percent increase in the second quarter and a significant step-up from the 0.4 percent gain in the first quarter.

Statement from Acting Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank on Retail Sales in September 2011

WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for September 2011. Retail sales surged 1.1 percent, exceeding private sector expectations of a 0.7 percent advance. Motor vehicle and parts sales jumped 3.6 percent. Sales excluding automotive dealers jumped 0.6 percent, also above private-sector expectations of a 0.3 percent rise. In addition, August sales were revised up from an initial report of no change to a 0.3 percent increase.

Statement from Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank on U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services in August 2011

WASHINGTON – Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank issued the following statement today on the release of the August 2011 U.S. International Trade in Goods and Services report by the Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.  Today’s report showed that U.S. exports of goods and services in August 2011 decreased 0.1 percent from July 2011 to $177.6 billion.  This month’s exports of petroleum products ($10.3 billion) were the highest on record.  This month’s exports of services ($50.9 billion) were also the highest on record leading the U.S. trade surplus in services to reach a record $15.8 billion in August.  U.S. imports of goods and services also decreased $111 million to reach $223.2 billion, causing the U.S.

Statement from Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank on New Residential Construction in August 2011

WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released data on new residential construction in August 2011. Permits for new housing units rose 3.2 percent in August to their highest level in 2011, despite private-sector expectations of a 1.8-percent decline. Housing starts, however, declined 5.0 percent in August, while private-sector analysts expected a 2.3-percent decline. 

Statement from Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank on Retail Sales in August 2011

WASHINGTON – The Commerce Department’s U.S. Census Bureau today released retail sales data for August 2011. Retail sales were virtually unchanged in August and slightly lower than private-sector expectations of a 0.2-percent increase. Motor vehicle sales in August decreased 0.3 percent, partly due to lingering inventory problems for Japanese manufacturers and the effects of Hurricane Irene. Sales excluding automobiles rose 0.1 percent, below private-sector expectations of a 0.3-percent rise. 

Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank Highlights Key Role of Education in Promoting Racial and Ethnic Equality in STEM

Commerce’s Economics and Statistics Administration Releases Third and Final STEM Report

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Acting U.S. Commerce Secretary Rebecca Blank unveiled findings from the Economics and Statistics Administration’s (ESA) third and final report on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs and education today at a Brookings Institution forum on advancing STEM education in the United States. Education Supports Racial and Ethnic Equality in STEM analyzes the demographic composition and educational background of STEM workers, looking at representation disparities within these critical fields that promote U.S. innovation and economic competitiveness.