U.S. Trade Deficit Dips as Imports Reach September Record

The U.S. goods-and-services trade deficit narrowed 0.7% in September to $105.0 billion, while imports rose to a record $426.6 billion, according to figures released by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis and Census Bureau. Exports also increased, reaching $321.5 billion. The deficit was down from a revised $105.7 billion in August. Exports rose 1.9% from the previous month, outpacing the 1.2% increase in imports. Economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast a September deficit of $108.0 billion. The increase in imports included goods and services, both of which reached record levels in the agencies’ historical comparisons. Goods imports climbed 1.3% to $346.9 billion, while services imports rose to $79.7 billion. Capital-goods imports increased $11.6 billion to $158 billion, with computers and computer accessories accounting for much of the rise. Semiconductor imports fell by $1.2 billion. The goods deficit narrowed 0.5% to $135.9 billion. Adjusted for inflation, however, the goods deficit widened 3% to $119.5 billion. The services surplus, which offsets part of the goods gap, edged down to $30.9 billion. For January through September, the overall deficit was...