U.S. current account deficit jumps 26% in 4th quarter

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - The U.S. current-account deficit, a measure of the nation's debt to other countries, widened 26% in the fourth quarter. The deficit widened to $128.2 billion from a revised $101.5 billion in the third quarter. The U.S. recorded a larger deficit in goods such as oil and a smaller surplus in primary income. The current account reveals if a country is a net lender or debtor. The current account deficit was 2.6% of GDP in the fourth quarter. That's up from 2.1% in the third quarter and well below a peak of 6.3% in 2005.