Exports up for 6th straight month, boost recovery

WASHINGTON (AP) — The economic recovery is likely to draw strength from exports such as farm products, autos, aircraft and industrial machinery - all of which helped lower the nation's trade deficit in October.

Exports of U.S. goods rose for a sixth straight month. Further gains in exports should bolster manufacturers, who struggled during the recession. Heavy equipment maker Caterpillar Inc., for instance, has predicted that its sales will rise next year, reflecting in part greater demand from China and other Asian markets.

Economists noted that much of the improvement in the trade gap reflected a fall in oil imports. But David Resler, chief economist at Nomura Securities, said U.S. exporters are benefiting from growing economies overseas and a weaker dollar. A weak dollar makes their goods cheaper in other countries.

Resler boosted his forecast for growth in the current quarter to 3.2 percent, from 2.9 percent. The U.S. economy grew at a 2.8 percent pace in the July-September period after a record four straight quarterly declines.

The trade deficit fell to $32.9 billion in October, 7.6 percent below a revised September deficit of $35.7 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The improvement reflected a 2.5 percent jump in exports. Imports rose a smaller 0.4 percent, a gain that was held back by a big drop in oil imports.