BULLET: UK DATA: Q3 Trade Gap Narrows, Contributes 1.22pp to.>

 UK DATA: Q3 Trade Gap Narrows, Contributes 1.22pp to GDP

- UK Q3 total deficit Stg6.410bn vs Stg11.394bn Q2

- UK Q3 goods deficit Stg33.164bn vs Stg34.128bn Q2

- UK Sept total deficit Stg3.360bn from Stg1.760bn previous

- UK Aug goods deficit Stg12.541bn from Stg10.825bn previous

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The UK trade deficit narrowed dramatically in the third quarter, 

providing a lift to GDP, albeit a smaller positive contribution than in 

the previous three months. However, the shortfall widened sharply in 

September, courtesy of a 3.9% jump in imports, while exports grew by 

1.1%. However, a National Statistics official would not attribute the 

elevated level of exports to Brexit-related stockpiling, noting that 

exports increased by an even greater margin during episodes of Brexit 

preparation earlier in the year.