Uncertainty about the economy, and the American trade picture in particular, carried the dollar into a sideways movement for most of the week.

Few analysts, however, were willing to credit the weakened dollar for the improved trade picture.

The trade picture with Canada improved almost as much.

"The trade picture is improving, especially on the export side."

The trade picture was brightened in September by growing exports.

The deficit and the trade picture have not improved.

The dollar declined yesterday, pulled down by another discouraging report on the nation's trade picture.

But for the time being, at least, the trade picture is not entirely negative.

Therefore, the trade picture will be little improved, and, as a result, the dollar "doesn't have a lot of room to go higher."

Commodity exports are again one of the bright spots in the nation's international trade picture.