Overview
- Exports increased 3.6 percent year over year to $59.57 billion in October, marking a fifth straight monthly gain and a $6.06 billion trade surplus.
- Semiconductor exports jumped 25.4 percent to $15.73 billion, the highest for any October, supported by rising prices and demand for high-value chips.
- Shipments to the United States fell 16.2 percent from a year earlier, with autos, auto parts and steel down due to tariff effects.
- September all-industry output rose 1.0 percent from August as semiconductor production surged 19.6 percent, pushing the chip production index to a record 213.8.
- Facility investment climbed 12.7 percent on strong purchases of chipmaking equipment, while retail sales slipped 0.1 percent and auto output dropped 18.3 percent on a base effect.