In case you were wondering about the deficit...

We don't talk too much about the deficit here on MNE, we prefer to focus on top line Federal gov't spending. However, if you were wondering how the deficit is looking, here is the deficit through April 20th, which is the most up to date reading you are going to find. (Not even the gov't gives you this.)

Deficit comparison FY 2015 vs 2014 

(compiled from DTS data)

So far through the current fiscal year (a little over six months), the deficit is $364 billion. That's 2.0% of GDP. 

At the same time last year it was $409 billion or, 2.5% of GDP.

I think the deficit got down to something like 1.3% of GDP in 2007 and then the economy crashed, but anyway, like I said, we think it's topline spending that's the bigger determinant.