A surge in exports in September helped push the U.S. trade deficit down to $56.5 billion, the lowest in more than two years. U.S. exports rose 1.1% to a record $140.1 billion on record shipments of capital goods, industrial materials and foods. Imports into the United States increased 0.6% to $196.6 billion, the second highest ever. The weaker U.S. dollar has been boosting exports, especially in the past three months. According to the University of Michigan consumer sentiment continued to fell in November. The November consumer sentiment index was 75.0 -- the lowest level since October 2005. Merck