The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Thursday the U.S. the goods and services trade deficit widened to $50.0 billion in March from a revised $49.3 billion in the previous month (originally a gap of $49.4 billion).

Economists had expected a deficit of $50.2 billion.

According to the report, the March advance in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.5 billion to $72.4 billion and a decline in the services surplus of $0.2 billion to $22.4 billion.

Exports of goods and services from the U.S. rose 1.0 percent m-o-m to $212.0 billion in March, while imports grew 1.1 percent m-o-m to $262.0 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $5.8 billion, or 3.7 percent, from the same period in 2018. Exports increased $14.0 billion or 2.3 percent. Imports increased $8.2 billion or 1.1 percent.