French monthly trade deficit hits record

The French trade balance showed a record deficit in April of 7.14 billion euros ($10.46 billion), a jump from 5.91 billion euros in March, adjusted data from the customs service showed on Wednesday. The previous record deficit was 6.40 billion euros in February, the data showed. The customs service said that the latest record deficit was caused in part by the purchase of two big aircraft and a surge in purchases of refined oil products. Exports fell to 34.40 billion euros from 35.09 billion euros in March. Imports amounted to 41.55 billion euros from 40.10 billion euros in March.