Trade Deficit Rises 0.6%; Exports Gain

The U.S. trade deficit rose 0.6% in January, the Commerce Department said Tuesday.

The increase in the trade gap to $58.2 billion, from December’s revised $57.9 billion, was lower than the $59.5 billion forecast by economists, Bloomberg reported.

Exports climbed to a record $148.2 billion as sales of corn, refined petroleum products, computers and pharmaceutical preparations grew, Bloomberg reported.

Imports increased 1.3% to $206.4 billion, also the highest ever, Bloomberg said.