US August year-to-date budget deficit narrows 14 pct to 304.3 bln usd

The federal deficit through August held below last year's level and continued on its course for a smaller yearly deficit this year than last, the Treasury Department said.
The government posted a budget deficit of 64.6 bln usd in August, compared to expectations of a 67 bln usd monthly deficit.
Through the first 11 months of the budget year, the deficit was 304.3 bln usd, down 14 pct from the same period in 2005, when it totaled 354.1 bln usd.
The deficit for the 11 months puts the government on track to turn in a total deficit of 295.8 bln usd this year, smaller than last year's 319 bln usd deficit for the full year.
The government took in 153.9 bln usd in August and spent 218.5 bln usd in the month.