Business inventories fall more than expected in May, 9th straight decline

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.

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 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 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.

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 31st, 2009 Meltdown 101: GDP report, by the numbersWASHINGTON — Friday's report on the gross domestic product has led many analysts to believe that the economy will see a much healthier rebound later this year than was previously expected. But the rapid rebound may still give way to a more gradual recovery next year.

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.

June 9th, 2009 April wholesale inventories fall 1.4 percentWASHINGTON — Wholesalers slashed inventories more than expected in April as businesses struggled to get stockpiles in line with falling sales. Still, analysts were slightly encouraged because sales dipped at a slower pace than in the previous month.

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.

May 1st, 2009 Manufacturing declines at slower rate in AprilWASHINGTON — U.S. manufacturing activity in April posted its best showing since September, when the financial crisis erupted.

April 30th, 2009 Meltdown 101: A tumble in GDP, by the numbersWASHINGTON — The headline number for the gross domestic product showed another stomach-churning decline in the first three months of the year, but buried inside the data were what might be termed "glimmers of hope" for better days ahead. The details hidden deep in the latest GDP report showed a lot of cross currents buffeting the economy at the moment.

February 2nd, 2009 NEW DELHI - India's merchandise exports will fall again in January - by as much as 22 percent - after three successive months of decline since October, because of the global economic meltdown, Commerce Secretary G.K. Pillai said Tuesday.