Exports Hit A Record High

Exports rose to an all-time high.

Exports plunged during the recession, but they've been growing strongly for a couple years now, and are back above the pre-crash peak.

Growth is coming from a broad range of categories — everything from industrial machinery to corn to royalty payments. (When U.S. companies get royalty payments from overseas, it counts as part of exports.)

Exports are being helped along by a falling dollar. Rising exports allow for economic growth without relying too heavily on spending by U.S. consumers.

Exports for March were $173 billion .