Australia’s [B]Trade Balance[/B] deficit widened much more than economists expected in July, showing a shortfall of –A$1.5 billion, the largest in 15 months. Preliminary forecasts ahead of the release had called for a –A$0.9 billion result. The previous month’s reading was also revised down to –A$0.54 billion from the –A$0.44 billion originally reported. The gap expanded as imports surged 4%, driven primarily by a 21% increase in inbound oil shipments, while exports fell 1%.