U.S. Trade Deficit Unchanged in August

The U.S. trade deficit was little changed in August at $45.6 billion, down slightly from $45.8 billion in July, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The trade gap, the lowest in four months, was projected to widen from an originally reported July level of $44.8 billion, Bloomberg reported.

Exports were little changed at $177.6 billion, boosted by industrial supplies and steelmaking materials. Imports were also little changed, at $223.2 billion.