Advance International Trade in Goods
Definition
An early, goods-only estimate of the trade balance released about a week before the full goods-and-services report, part of the Advance Economic Indicators.
Why investors care
It lets GDP nowcasters update the net-exports input a week early and often moves trackers like the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow.
What to watch
Released with advance wholesale and retail inventories — together they swing GDP tracking estimates noticeably.