U.S. merchandise trade deficit widened in September as imports rose, suggesting
trade again subtracted from third-quarter GDP. The deficit rose 2.1% ($2.8 bln)
to $134.9 bln, versus $130.2 bln expected. Merchandise imports increased $8.1
bln to $344.1 bln; exports rose $5.3 bln to $209.2 bln. Imports were boosted by
capital goods tied to AI investment. The government will release preliminary Q3
GDP on Thursday; economists forecast 3.2% annualized growth, up from 2.2% in Q2,
with AI investment and consumer spending cited as the main drivers.