U.S. Trade Deficit Unexpectedly Narrowed in July to Six-Month Low

The U.S. trade deficit unexpectedly narrowed in July to the lowest level in six months, as goods exports climbed to a record, a Commerce Department report showed Sept. 4.

The gap shrank 0.6 percent to $40.5 billion, the smallest since January, from a revised $40.8 billion in June that was smaller than previously estimated. The median forecast in a Bloomberg survey of 65 economists called for a widening to $42.4 billion. Sales to foreign customers climbed 0.9 percent on growing demand for American autos and petroleum products.

Sales of American products to countries such as Mexico, Brazil and the U.K. ...