U.S. goods trade deficit hits a record in November

* The goods trade deficit widened last month by 17.5% to $97.8 billion from $83.2 billion in October, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday. That exceeds the previous record deficit set in September of $97 billion.

* Goods exports declined 2.1%, while imports rose by 4.7%.

* Trade has been a drag on gross domestic product growth for five straight quarters, while inventories added to output in the third quarter.