Business inventories drop for 13th consecutive month in August although sales increase

October 8th, 2009 August wholesale inventories decline, sales riseWASHINGTON — Businesses reduced inventories at the wholesale level for a record 12th consecutive month in August, often evidence that companies are trimming orders to factories, which helped depress economic output during the recession. But in an encouraging sign, sales at the wholesale level jumped by the largest amount in 14 months.

October 1st, 2009 Ford Sept. sales fall 5.1 percentDETROIT — Chrysler Group LLC reported a 42 percent sales drop last month, while Ford Motor Co. says its September sales fell 5.1 percent, revealing a tough hangover from this summer's Cash for Clunkers buying spree.

September 15th, 2009 Business inventories fall in July, but sales riseWASHINGTON — Businesses slashed their inventories for the 12th straight month in July, but sales posted a second consecutive gain, providing hope that companies soon will switch from trimming stockpiles to increasing their orders. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that inventories dipped 1 percent in July, slightly more than the 0.9 percent cut that economists expected.

September 11th, 2009 July wholesale figures point to economic growthWASHINGTON — Businesses reduced inventories at the wholesale level for a record 11th consecutive month in July, although sales rose by the largest amount in more than a year, sparking hope for better days ahead. Economists expect that some modest restocking triggered by the higher sales helped boost the economy out of recession in the current quarter.

September 11th, 2009 Wholesale inventories drop in July; sales growWASHINGTON — Businesses reduced inventories at the wholesale level for a record 11th consecutive month in July, although sales rose by the largest amount in more than a year, sparking hope for better days ahead. Economists expect that some modest restocking triggered by the higher sales helped boost the economy out of recession in the current quarter.

September 4th, 2009 Prius top-selling car in Japan for 4th monthTOKYO — Toyota's hugely popular Prius ranked as Japan's best-selling car in August, keeping the top spot for the fourth consecutive month with the help of government subsidies and tax breaks, an auto industry group said Friday. The Japan Automobile Dealers Association said Toyota Motor Corp., the world's biggest automaker, sold 21,669 Prius cars in the month.

September 1st, 2009 NEW DELHI - Hyundai Motor India, the countrys second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter, Tuesday reported a growth of 10.7 percent in sales in August. The company sold 49,521 vehicle last month as against 44,710 units sold in August last year, it said in a statement.

August 13th, 2009 Inventories fall for 10th straight month in JuneWASHINGTON — Businesses reduced inventories for a 10th straight month in June, although total business sales posted the first increase in nearly a year. The Commerce Department said Thursday that businesses cut stockpiles 1.1 percent in June, slightly larger than the 0.9 percent drop economists expected.

August 11th, 2009 Wholesale inventories fall for 10th straight monthWASHINGTON — Businesses slashed inventories at the wholesale level for a record 10th consecutive month in June, a decline that has contributed to the longest recession since World War II. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that wholesale inventories declined 1.7 percent in June, nearly double the 0.9 percent decrease economists had expected.

July 14th, 2009 Business inventories dip more than expected in MayWASHINGTON — Businesses slashed inventories more than expected in May, the ninth consecutive decline, as companies continued to trim stockpiles amid a severe recession. The Commerce Department said Tuesday that inventories fell 1 percent in May.

July 9th, 2009 May wholesale inventories fall, 9th straight dropWASHINGTON — Wholesale inventories fell for a ninth consecutive month in May, a decline that has contributed to the longest recession since World War II as factories have been forced to slash production amid crimped demand. The Commerce Department said Thursday that inventories dipped 0.8 percent in May, slightly smaller than the 1 percent decline economists had expected.

June 11th, 2009 Businesses cut inventories 1.1 percent in AprilWASHINGTON — Businesses reduced their inventories more than expected in April as they worked to get stockpiles more in line with falling sales. The Commerce Department said Thursday that businesses cut inventories 1.1 percent in April, a bit more than the 1 percent drop economists expected.

May 13th, 2009 Business inventories drop 1 percent in MarchWASHINGTON — Businesses slashed their inventories for a seventh consecutive month in March, the longest stretch in seven years, as companies struggled to cope with a prolonged recession. The Commerce Department says inventories dropped 1 percent in March.

May 8th, 2009 Wholesale inventories fall more than expectedWASHINGTON — Wholesalers slashed inventories for a seventh straight month in March as businesses struggled to get stockpiles in line with plunging sales. The Commerce Department says wholesale inventories dropped 1.6 percent in March, much larger than the 1 percent fall that analysts had expected.

February 27th, 2009 WASHINGTON - New home sales in the US plunged 10.2 percent in January to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 309,000 units, the lowest level on record, the commerce department said Thursday. The January sales were 48.2 percent below the 2007 level.