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Oil jump widened US trade deficit

Official figures show that the US trade deficit widened by slightly more than expected in October, as a record high price for imported oil over-powered the positive effects of a weaker dollar on exports.

The Commerce Department said the deficit increased to $57.8 billion in October from a revised estimated of $57.1 billion for September, as the average monthly price for imported oil jumped nearly 6% to $72.49 a barrel.