US: International trade deficit rose to $68.3 billion in December vs. $68.75 billion expected

• Trade deficit in US widened less than expected in December.
• US Dollar Index stays in positive territory above 98.

The international trade deficit of the United States rose to $68.3 billion in December from $63 billion in November, the data published by the US Census Bureau showed on Wednesday. This reading came in better than the market expectation for a deficit of $68.75 billion.

"Exports of goods for December were $137.0 billion, $0.4 billion more than November exports," the publication read. "Imports of goods for December were $205.3 billion, $5.8 billion more than November imports."

The US Dollar Index largely ignored this data and was last up 0.18% on a daily basis at 98.15.