Wholesale Inventories Rise 0.3%
Wholesale inventories increased 0.3% in September after rising 0.6% the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Nov. 12.
Inventories rose to $538.8 billion from $537.5 billion the prior month, according to Commerce.
Sales increased 0.2% to $454.3 billion after a 0.8% decline the prior month.
The August setback in sales may have made businesses more cautious about restocking their shelves until they see more evidence of rising demand, the Associated Press reported.
The inventory increase reflected a 0.8% rise in stockpiles of durable goods, with inventories of automobiles rising 1.2% and furniture up 1.5%, according to AP.
Wholesale inventories account for about one-fourth of total business stockpiles. Retailers and factories account for the rest.
