ISTANBUL

The US trade deficit rose $2.9 billion, or 4.9%, to $61.5 billion in September, according to data released Tuesday by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau.

The expectation was to show a deficit of $59.9 billion. The trade deficit in August was revised to $58.7 billion from $58.3 billion, according to the figures.

Exports in September were $261.1 billion, $5.7 billion more than August exports, while imports were $322.7 billion -- $8.6 billion more than in August.

"The September increase in the goods and services deficit reflected an increase in the goods deficit of $1.7 billion to $86.3 billion and a decrease in the services surplus of $1.2 billion to $24.8 billion," the Census Bureau said in a statement.

"Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit decreased $147.4 billion, or 20.0 percent, from the same period in 2022. Exports increased $22.7 billion or 1.0 percent. Imports decreased $124.8 billion or 4.2 percent," it added.