(Sharecast News) - The US goods trade deficit widened unexpectedly in September, while wholesale inventories continued to climb, pointing to another quarter in which trade likely dragged on growth even as stock‑building across the wholesale sector remained firm.
The US goods trade deficit widened as rising imports continued to weigh on economic growth, according to preliminary figures from the Census Bureau, with the shortfall increasing 2.1% to $134.9bn, compared with expectations for a $130.2bn deficit, marking another month in which trade was likely to have subtracted from GDP amid strong demand for imported capital goods linked to the ongoing AI investment boom. Goods imports rose $8.1bn to $344.1bn, while exports climbed $5.3bn to $209.2bn.
Elsewhere, US wholesale inventories rose 0.6% in September to $941.5bn, advance figures from the Census Bureau showed, following a 0.5% increase in August and topping forecasts for a similar 0.5% gain. If confirmed, it would mark an eighth straight monthly rise, pointing to continued stock‑building across the wholesale sector. Inventories were higher across both major categories, with nondurables up 0.9% and durable goods rising 0.4%. On an annual basis, wholesale inventories are estimated to have grown 7.4%.
Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com