U.S. budget deficit dipped to $192 billion in February

By Elvina Nawaguna

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. budget deficit was $192 billion in February, down 1 percent from the same period last year, according to data released by the Treasury Department on Thursday.

Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a $187 billion deficit for last month. The deficit was $194 billion in February of 2014, according to Treasury’s monthly budget statement.

The current fiscal year-to-date deficit stood at $387 billion at the end of last month.

February’s budget results were affected by differences in the calendar. If adjusted for timing-related transactions, the budget deficit would have been $194 billion.

Receipts last month totaled $139 billion, down 3 percent from the year-ago period, while outlays were $332 billion, down 2 percent from the year-ago period, Treasury said.

(Reporting by Elvina Nawaguna; Editing by Paul Simao)