China’s September exports exceed expectations

China’s September exports grew 15.3% from a year earlier, beating the Bloomberg News survey estimate of 12%, Bloomberg reported. Imports exceeded expectations as well, according to the Beijing-based customs administration, growing 7% despite projections of a 2% decline. This resulted in the trade surplus shrinking to US$31 billion after the record-setting US$49.8 billion in August. Despite this boost in global demand, a Bloomberg survey of analysts estimates only 7.2% growth last quarter – the lowest in more than five years, and 7.3% growth on the year, the slowest growth since 1990.