BUSINESS BRIEF

U.S. trade deficit drops by 12.9% in November

1/8/2014

WASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit fell in November to its lowest level in four years, an encouraging sign that economic growth in the final three months of the year was stronger than analysts had forecast.

Gains in energy production and stronger sales of American-made airplanes, autos, and machinery lifted exports to an all-time high.

The trade gap dropped 12.9 percent in November to $34.3 billion, the Commerce Department said Tuesday. That’s the lowest monthly trade deficit since October, 2009.