German Exports Rise More Than Expected in September

German exports rose more than expected in September and foreign trade gave a boost to Europe’s largest economy that continued into the fourth quarter of the year as it struggles to avoid slipping into a double-digit deflation.

The Federal Statistics Office said exports, adjusted for seasonal factors, rose 2.3% on a monthly basis after an upwardly revised 2.9% increase in August. Imports fell 0.1%, after rising 5.8% in the previous month. The office added that the trade surplus increased to 17.8 billion euros.

Economists polled by Reuters had expected exports to rise 2% and imports to rise by 2.1%. The trade surplus was expected to reach 15.8 billion euros.