The nation's trade deficit grew to $36.5 billion in September from $30.8 billion in August, the Bureau of Economic Analysis just reported.

According to BEA: Exports grew by $3.7 billion, to about $132 billion, while imports rose by $9.3 billion, to about $168.4 billion.

The Associated Press writes that an increase in foreign oil prices (boosting the value of those imports) swamped a "fifth consecutive gain in exports."

Increases in exports and imports could be additional signs that the economy is strengthening, since they indicate that demand for goods is increasing.

Planet Money follows the economy here.