The April deficit was greater than any Econoday economist's prediction.

In addition, the Census Department revised the March deficit from $43.7 billion from $45.3 billion.

The bad news is accelerating for the second quarter. The trade deficit widened in April to $47.6 billion from a revised $45.3 billion in March. This opens the quarter on yet another defensive front.

Exports fell 0.3 percent in April to $191.0 billion as a fractional rise in service exports to $64.0 billion could not outmatch a 0.4 percent decline in goods exports to $126.9 billion.

Imports meanwhile jumped 0.8 percent to $238.6 billion with increasing pressure centered in goods but also including services.