Trade Deficit Down to $51.6B (expected $53 B), Exports Up

[papau]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/ECONOMY?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=BUSINESS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Nov 10, 10:30 AM EST

Trade Deficit Down to $51.6B (expected $53 B), Exports Up

By JEANNINE AVERSA
Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. trade deficit shrank to $51.6 billion in September, an improvement brought about as exports posted their best month on record.

The latest snapshot of trade activity, reported by the Commerce Department on Wednesday, came after the deficit had swelled to $53.5 billion in August - the second-highest level ever registered. September's trade deficit represented a 3.7 percent reduction from August.<snip>


Exports of goods and services grew to a record $97.5 billion in September, marking a 0.8 percent increase from the previous month. Exports were helped by a weaker dollar, which makes U.S. goods cheaper to foreign buyers, and some improved foreign demand.

Imports, meanwhile, dipped by 0.8 percent in September from August to $149 billion. Even with the drop, imports of goods and services were still the second-best on record, a testimony to Americans' solid appetite for foreign-made items.<snip>

[On the Road]

1. Yup, Just Like the Budget Deficit

is DOWN to only $421 billion. Good news. :eyes: