British trade deficit expands to eight-month high

Britain's trade-in-goods deficit unexpectedly expanded in May as imports hit a two-year high and exports steadied, official data showed on Friday.The deficit jumped to 8.1 billion pounds (9.7 billion euros/12.3 billion dollars) from an upwardly revised 7.4 billion pounds in April, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.April's deficit had originally been put at 7.3 billion pounds, while analysts' consensus forecast had been for a narrowing in May to 6.8 billion pounds, according to Dow Jones Newswires.

Britain's trade-in-goods deficit widened in January, official data showed on Tuesday, even as exports to non-EU countries hit a record high level amid the ongoing debt crisis in the eurozone.The deficit grew to £7.5 billion (8.9 billion euros, $11.7 billion), the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement. That compared with a shortfall of £7.2 billion in December.Market expectations had been for a larger deficit of £7.9 billion in January, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

British government borrowing widened unexpectedly in August to hit a record high for the month, official data showed on Tuesday.The public sector net borrowing requirement jumped to 15.3 billion pounds (18.1 billion euros, 23.8 billion dollars) compared with 13.5 billion pounds in August 2009, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.Analysts had expected a fall in net borrowing to 13 billion pounds, according to a survey by Dow Jones Newswires.

British industrial output stagnated in June and the trade-in-goods deficit worsened, official data showed on Tuesday, further clouding the economic outlook amid plunging stock markets.Industrial production was unchanged in June from the previous month, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.However it sank by 0.3 percent in June on a 12-month comparison.Expectations had been for a monthly increase of 0.4 percent and a slight annual gain of 0.2 percent, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Britain's trade deficit grew by more than expected in March, official data showed on Wednesday.The deficit -- the difference between goods exported and imported -- expanded to £7.7 billion (8.8 billion euros, $12.6 billion) in March, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.That compared with a deficit of £7.0 billion in February, which was upgreaded from the previous estimate of £6.8 billion.The March figure overshot market expectations for a smaller deficit of £7.5 billion, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Britain's trade deficit narrowed more than expected in January after a record shortfall in December as exports soared to an all-time high, official data showed on Wednesday.The deficit shrank to £7.1 billion (8.3 billion euros, $11.5 billion) in January, which was the lowest level since February 2010, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.The January figure compared with an upwardly-revised deficit of £9.7 billion in December, topping forecasts for a deficit of £8.6 billion according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Britain's trade-in-goods deficit hit a record high level in November, as the impact of surging oil imports outweighed booming exports, official data showed on Wednesday.The deficit expanded to £8.7 billion (10.5 billion euros, $13.6 billion) in November, compared with a upwardly-revised deficit of £8.6 billion in October, the Office for National Statistics said in a statement.The November figure was worse than market expectations for a smaller shortfall of £8.3 billion, according to analysts polled by Dow Jones Newswires.

Analysts had hope