Despite disappointing trade figures this week, in the year to November export volumes (excluding oil and erratic items) were 7.1% higher than a year before.

ECONOMIST: The mighty pound

Even excluding oil, prices of imported goods rose by 8.3% in the year to the second quarter of 2008, the highest rate of increase since 1993.

ECONOMIST: Weak sterling

In the year to May, says Michael Rosenberg, chief currency strategist at Deutsche Bank, import prices to America, excluding oil, rose only 0.9%, even though the trade-weighted dollar fell by 6%.

ECONOMIST: Why America's deficit is hard to turn around

Excluding the exports of oil and other erratic products, exports of goods fell 1.3%.

BBC: Export help for small businesses unveiled

Underlying production of oil and gas, excluding the impact of asset sales, rose 2% in the quarter compared with the same period a year ago.

BBC: BP's profits edge lower but beat forecasts

Excluding fuel and special items, CASM fell 1.2% to 7.38 cents. (Read Oil Down More Than 15% In Q3).

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