Eurozone posts solid trade surplus for September

BRUSSELS, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- The 17-nation eurozone posted a $17.7 billion trade surplus in goods in September, the European Commission's data office Eurostat said Monday.

The surplus, posted as a first estimate, was significantly higher than the $9.3 billion surplus posted in August and the $11.6 billion posted in September 2012.

From August, exports rose 1 percent, while imports fell 0.3 percent, Eurostat said.

In the 28-member European Union, the trade balance for the month came to $800 million, which compares to a $19.6 billion deficit from September 2012.

In August 2013, the trade balance came out to a deficit of $3.2 billion.