The U.S. federal government posted a $234 billion budget deficit in February, according to data released Friday by the Treasury Department.
Analysts polled by Reuters had expected a $227 billion deficit for the month.
The Treasury said federal spending in February was $401 billion, up 8 percent from the same month in 2018, while receipts were $167 billion, up 7 percent compared to February 2018.
The deficit for the fiscal year to date was $544 billion, compared with $391 billion in the comparable period the year earlier.
When adjusted for calendar effects, the deficit was $547 billion for the fiscal year to date versus $439 billion in the comparable prior period.
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