U.S. government posts $182 billion surplus in April

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



Wed May 10, 2017 | 2:51pm EDT

The U.S. government had a $182 billion budget surplus in April, confounding market expectations for a deficit, according to Treasury Department data released on Wednesday.

The budget surplus was $106 billion in April 2016, according to Treasury's monthly budget statement. The fiscal 2017 year-to-date deficit was $344 billion compared with $353 billion in the same period of fiscal 2016.

When accounting for calendar adjustments, the surplus last month was $145 billion compared with an adjusted surplus of $146 billion the prior year. The adjusted deficit for the fiscal year to date was $373 billion compared with $314 billion the prior fiscal year period.

Receipts last month totaled $456 billion, up 4 percent from April 2016, while outlays stood at $273 billion, a decrease of 18 percent from the same month a year earlier.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-economy-budget-idUSKBN1862KV?il=0

[calimary]

1. Thanks Obama!

[Laf.La.Dem.]

2. This is why we can cut taxes for the rich!!

[HopeAgain]

3. I am suspicious

Trump Administration has been trying to cook the books... Did they get away with it in April?

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4243092/Economists-fear-doctored-data-Trump-administration.html

[SergeStorms]

9. They were correct.

That article appeared in February. How else could you explain this?

[karynnj]

13. That April 15th is in April -- and last year the monthly April surplus was $1 billion higher?

[bora13]

4. another every brick in the wall

that'll buy such a nice TRUMP built wall.

to bad we'll spend that much trying to get this orange crush soda looking freak out of the oval office.

[tenorly]

5. "outlays stood at $273 billion, a decrease of 18% from the same month a year earlier."

Read: King Con has ordered agencies to stop paying contractors.

If pharmacies and hospitals stop accepting Medicare/Medicaid in the near future, we now know why.

[Marthe48]

6. Is that before or after the golfing trips?

n/t

[tenorly]

8. Exactly.

The fat lout and his entourage are turning this country into a medieval monarchy in all but name.

He should remember how those guys usually ended up.

[SergeStorms]

7. You see, my Americanski friends.....

election of comrade Trump already paying dividends! Glorious thanks to Emperor for life, Vladimir Putin, for making American election biggest success! Sposibo!

[DallasNE]

10. Misleading Headline

And how does this "confound market expectations". It was actually $1 billion less than April of last year, meaning it was right on target. More importantly, the YTD deficit this year is $373 billion compared to $314 billion last year meaning the deficit is $59 billion higher than last year to date. We're going in the wrong direction rather than the right direction as the Reuters article suggests.

[karynnj]

12. yep -- and I doubt it is just someone not understanding.

I honestly have never seen an article before acting as if a monthly surplus in April is surprising.

[karynnj]

11. Hey people, there is ALWAYS a surplus in April!

Which month do you think most income tax revenue comes in. Withholding smooths it over the year if all your income is from wages, but a lot of money comes in with taxes.

Note from the article:


When accounting for calendar adjustments, the surplus last month was $145 billion compared with an adjusted surplus of $146 billion the prior year.

[noneof_theabove]

14. Of course April had a profit....

It takes time to get the new "credit card" and start putting everything on it.