Reflecting a steep drop by the value of imports, the Commerce Department released a report on Thursday showing the U.S. trade deficit narrowed by slightly more than expected in the month of October.
The Commerce Department said the trade deficit shrank to $73.8 billion in October from a revised $83.8 billion in September.
Economists had expected the trade deficit to decrease to $75.0 billion from the $84.4 billion originally reported for the previous month.
The narrower trade deficit came as the value of imports tumbled by 4.0 percent to $339.6 billion, although the value of exports also slumped by 1.6 percent to $265.7 billion.