Exports boost trade surplus

AUSTRALIA’S trade surplus has jumped to its highest level in four months on the back of a boost in exports.

The value of the nation’s exports outstripped the cost of imports by $1.75 billion in the September, according August, the Australian Bureau of Statistics data released yesterday.

That was up from a revised $873 million surplus in August.

Economists had expected the surplus to rise to $1.2 billion in September. Exports climbed 3 per cent, or by $924 million, on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

That rise was driven mainly by an 8 per cent increase in the value of mining exports.

Imports rose by just $52 million during the month.

The Aussie dollar rose 0.2¢ to US77.01¢ after the data was released. Late yesterday, the Aussie was buying US77.12¢.