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Business stockpiles up modest 0.1 percent
WASHINGTON — U.S. businesses increased their stockpiles only slightly in May, despite a solid sales increase. The figures suggest economic growth has slowed but could pick up in the second half of the year. The Commerce Department said Monday that business stockpiles rose just 0.1 percent in May from April, half the previous month’s increase. […]
Wholesale stockpiles fell 0.3 pct. in February
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesalers cut their restocking in February by the most in 17 months. But their sales jumped, suggesting companies underestimated consumer demand. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that stockpiles at the wholesale level declined 0.3 percent in February. That followed a 0.8 percent increase in January, which was revised lower. The decline was […]
Wholesale stockpiles rise 1.2 percent
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesalers boosted their stockpiles in January by the largest amount in 13 months even though their sales dropped sharply. Inventories at the wholesale level rose 1.2 percent in January compared with December when inventories had edged up a slight 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department said Friday. It was the biggest gain since […]
Wholesale stockpiles grew 1.1 pct. in September
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles in September at the fastest pace in nine months and their sales jumped by the largest amount in 18 months. The increases suggest the U.S. economy grew faster over the summer than first estimated. Wholesale stockpiles grew 1.1 percent in September, the Commerce Department said Friday. That’s […]
Wholesale stockpiles up in July but sales fell
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesalers increased their stockpiles in July from June, but sales fell for a third straight month. Declining sales could force companies to cut inventories in coming months, a troubling sign that economic growth could weaken. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that wholesale stockpiles grew 0.7 percent in July, the biggest increase in […]
Business inventories up 0.1 percent in June
WASHINGTON — U.S. companies barely increased their stockpiles in June from May, and sales plunged by the largest amount in more than three years. Business inventories edged up a slight 0.1 percent in June after a 0.3 percent gain in May, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. Sales fell 1.1 percent, the sharpest decline since March […]
Wholesale stockpiles fell in June as sales plummeted
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale companies cut back their stockpiles in June as sales fell by the most in three years. The declines in sales and inventories could signal slower growth in the coming months. Wholesale inventories dropped 0.2 percent in June, the Commerce Department said Thursday. That’s the largest drop in nine months. Sales at […]
Wholesale stockpiles grew in May but sales fell
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale companies added modestly to their stockpiles in May. But sales at the wholesale level dropped by the largest amount in three years, a troubling sign for future growth. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that wholesale stockpiles rose 0.3 percent in May. That followed a 0.5 percent increase in April, which was […]
Wholesale stockpiles grew 0.6 percent in April
WASHINGTON — U.S. wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles at a faster rate in April, responding to a strong gain in sales. The increase could be a good sign for economic growth in the April-June quarter. The Commerce Department says stockpiles grew 0.6 percent at the wholesale level in April, double the March gain. Sales by […]
Wholesale companies cut inventories but sales rise
WASHINGTON — Wholesale businesses in the U.S. reduced their stockpiles in September for the first time in nearly two years, while their sales rose. Inventories at the wholesale level fell 0.1 percent, the Commerce Department said Wednesday. It was the first decline since December 2009. The drop was largely because companies cut their stockpiles of […]
Business inventories and sales rose in August
WASHINGTON — Companies were confident enough in the economy in August to keep stocking their shelves, even as other data stoked recession fears. Businesses added to their stockpiles for a 20th consecutive month and their sales rose for a third straight month, the Commerce Department said Friday. Inventories increased 0.5 percent in August, matching the […]
Business inventories and sales rose July
WASHINGTON — Businesses added to their stockpiles in July for a 19th straight month and their sales increased by the most since March. The Commerce Department says business inventories rose 0.4 percent in July following a similar gain in June. Business sales increased 0.7 percent in July. The strong month for inventory growth shows businesses […]
