Businesses slash inventories again in July, but sales post first back-to-back gains in a year

October 14th, 2009 Business inventories decline 1.5 percent in AugustWASHINGTON — Businesses slashed inventories for a 13th consecutive month in August although sales posted a third straight increase. The Commerce Department said Wednesday that inventories fell 1.5 percent in August, more than the 0.9 percent fall that analysts had expected.

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 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.

September 11th, 2009 Stocks trade flat after 5 days of gainsNEW YORK — Stocks are little changed Friday as investors hold back from making big moves after a five-day rally. Many traders are still expecting a pullback in the market after the extended period of gains, but some upbeat corporate news was drawing in buyers.

August 14th, 2009 NEW YORK - US stocks rose Thursday led by the banking sector and sweeping aside reports of a decline in retail sales. The bank rally was spurred after the firm of a prominent hedge fund investor, John Paulson, bought shares in troubled Bank of America Corp and Regions Financial Corp.

August 13th, 2009 Retail sales unexpectedly dip 0.1 percent in JulyWASHINGTON — Retail sales outside of autos turned in a disappointing performance in July, underscoring concerns about the timing and durability of a recovery from the worst recession since World War II. The Commerce Department said Thursday that retail sales fell 0.1 percent last month.

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.

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.