US: Trade deficit increased to $54 billion in September vs $53.6 billion expected

"The goods and services deficit was $54.0 billion in September, up $0.7 billion from $53.3 billion in August," the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis jointly announced today.

Key highlights from the press release

• September exports were $212.6 billion, $3.1 billion more than August exports.
• September imports were $266.6 billion, $3.8 billion more than August imports.
• The September increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $0.6 billion to $77.2 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $23.2 billion.
• Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit increased $40.7 billion, or 10.1 percent, from the same period in 2017.
• Exports increased $143.8 billion or 8.2 percent. Imports increased $184.5 billion or 8.6 percent.