ECB: Eurozone current account surplus widens

The eurozone's current account surplus widened to 17.4 billion euros ($23.6 billion) in August from 15.5 billion euros in July, European Central Bank data showed Thursday. The current account on the balance of payments, which includes imports and exports in both goods and services, plus all other current transfers, is a closely tracked indicator of the ability of a country or area to pay its way in the world. It is crucial for the long-term confidence of investors and trading partners. The ECB revised the July figure downwards from its previously announced 16.9 billion euros. Over the 12 months to August, the current account showed a surplus of 192.8 billion euros, compared to 88.2 billion euros for the same period a year earlier.