Metals Service Centers
Metalformers’ Economic Optimism Dips Despite Improved Orders & Shipping
February 23, 2026
Research
The U.S. Census Bureau has released advance indicators showing that the international trade deficit declined while wholesale inventories increased in July.
Advance U.S. selected services total revenue for 2021 3Q was $4,524.9 billion, an increase of 3.7% over 2021 2Q and up 15.2% from 2020 3Q.
The U.S. Census Bureau this week released advance indicators showing that the international trade deficit declined while wholesale inventories increased in July.
The international trade deficit was $86.4 billion in July, down $5.7 billion from $92.1 billion in June. Exports of goods for July were $147.6 billion, $2.2 billion more than June exports. Imports of goods for July were $233.9 billion, $3.4 billion less than June imports.
Wholesale inventories for July, adjusted for seasonal variations and trading day differences, but not for price changes, were estimated at an end-of-month level of $603.2 billion, up 0.4% from June, and were up 3.3% from July 2020. The May to June percentage change was revised from up 0.3% to up 0.5%.
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