Business Highlights

Weak dollar no quick fix for narrowing trade gap

WASHINGTON (AP) — A weaker dollar may boost the nation's economy by increasing exports and narrowing the trade gap — but that won't happen anytime soon.

Instead, the nation's trade deficit rose in September by the largest percentage in a decade as U.S. exports grew for the fifth straight month, but imports rose faster, a government report showed Friday. That trend is likely to continue until the middle of next year, economists said.

Rising oil prices and higher purchases of foreign goods by U.S. companies drove imports higher. So did more purchases of foreign parts by U.S. manufacturers, which are ramping up production in the fledgling economic recovery.

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Earnings reports push stocks higher; Dow gains 73

NEW YORK (AP) — Encouraging earnings news from major retailers and The Walt Disney Co. drew investors back into the stock market one day after a big drop.