| Economic Event | Current Account |
| Units | Billions of Dollars |
| Current Period | Q4 2008 |
| Release Date | Mar. 18. 09 |
| Reported | -132.8 |
| Consensus for Current Period | -137.3 |
| Number of Forecasts | 30 |
| Economic Surprise | 4.5 ( 3.28 % ) |
| Prior Period | Q3 2008 |
| Reported Value for Prior Period | -181.3 |
| Revised From | -174.1 |
| Next Release Date | Jun. 17. 09 |
| Next Release Time | 8.30 AM Eastern Time |
| Source | http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/international/transactions/transnewsrelease.htm |
| Note | This is the smallest deficit since the fourth quarter of 2003. |
| Description | The current account of the balance of payments is the sum of the balance of trade (exports minus imports of goods and services), net factor incomes (such as interest and dividends) and net transfer payments (such as foreign aid). A current account surplus increases a country's net foreign assets by the corresponding amount, and a current account deficit does the reverse. |