U.S. exports rise to a record level in September

© Scanpix/FP

Exports from the U.S. rose to a record level in September, and the trade deficit unexpectedly declined, propping up the world's largest economy at the end of the Q3. The gap narrowed 5.1% to $41.5 billion, the smallest since the end of 2010 and lower than economists' estimate. The increase in sales to overseas buyers appeared to be broad-based, with improvement from soybeans to civilian aircraft and fuel.