U.S. trade gap narrows in Sept. on record exports* *PIC*
U.S. trade gap narrows in Sept. on record exports (by Greg Robb)
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- The U.S. trade deficit narrowed by 4% in September to $43.1 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The trade deficit was below the consensus forecast of Wall Street economists of a deficit of $45.4 billion. The government also revised the deficit in August to $44.9 billion from $45.6 billion. The narrower deficit should add to third quarter GDP. Exports rose faster than imports in September and hit a new record level. Exports rose 1.4% in September after a 0.1% gain in August. Imports rose 0.3% in September after a 0.2% decline in the prior month. The U.S. trade deficit with China remained virtually unchanged at $28.06 billion compared with the same month last year.