Investing.com - The U.S. trade deficit narrowed more than expected in September, as exports edged up 1.6% and imports fell 1.8%, official data showed on Wednesday.
In a report, the U.S. Commerce Department said that the trade deficit declined to a seasonally adjusted $40.81 billion in September from a deficit of $48.02 billion in August, whose figure was revised from a previously reported deficit of $48.3 billion. Analysts had expected the U.S. trade deficit to narrow to $41.1 billion in September.
U.S. exports edged up 1.6% to $187.9 billion, while imports fell 1.8% to $228.7 billion.
EUR/USD was trading at 1.0913 from around 1.0915 ahead of the release of the data, GBP/USD was at 1.5401 from 1.5398 earlier, while USD/JPY was at 121.34 compared to 121.29 earlier.
The US dollar index, which tracks the greenback against a basket of six major rivals, was at 97.62, compared to 97.61 ahead of the report.
Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. equity markets was upbeat. The Dow futures indicated a gain of 0.25% at the open, the S&P 500 futures pointed to a rise of 0.25%, while Nasdaq 100 futures tacked on 0.3%.
Elsewhere, in the commodities market, gold futures traded at $1,116.10 a troy ounce, compared to $1,116.40 ahead of the data, while crude oil traded at $48.26 a barrel from $48.03 earlier.