The U.S. Commerce Department reported on Tuesday U.S. the goods and services trade deficit narrowed to $52.5 billion in September from a revised $55.0 billion in the previous month (originally a gap of $54.9).

Economists had expected a deficit of $52.5 billion.

According to the report, the September decline in the goods and services deficit reflected a decrease in the goods deficit of $2.7 billion to $71.7 billion and a drop in the services surplus of $0.1 billion to $19.3 billion.

Exports of goods and services from the U.S. fell 0.9 percent m-o-m to $ 206.0 billion in September, while imports decreased 1.7 percent m-o-m to $258.4 billion.

Year-to-date, the goods and services deficit surged 5.4 percent from the same period in 2018. Exports fell 0.4 percent, while imports rose 1.8 percent.