Wholesale inventories drop more than expected in March as sales continue to weaken

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 30th, 2009 Crude supplies continue to growNEW YORK — Crude inventories grew last week, though gasoline supplies dropped as refiners pulled back on operations, the government said Wednesday. Crude inventories climbed by 2.8 million barrels, or 0.8 percent, to 338.4 million barrels, which is 11.4 percent above year-ago levels, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report.

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 14th, 2009 Car, gas sales seen boosting August retail salesWASHINGTON — Consumers bought hundreds of thousands of cars in August due mainly to the government's popular Cash for Clunkers program, but economists expect Americans didn't boost their spending on much else. Still, analysts will scrutinize the Commerce Department's report on August retail sales for signs that a budding economic recovery is spurring greater consumer spending.

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 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 24th, 2009 Crude supplies drop more than expectedNEW YORK — Crude inventories dropped more than expected last week, while gasoline inventories soared, the government said Wednesday. U.S. crude supplies decreased by 3.8 million barrels, or 1.1 percent, to 353.9 million barrels, which is 18.8 percent above year-ago levels, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report.

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 9th, 2009 Treasurys rise after April jobs dataNEW YORK — Treasury prices rose Friday after mixed economic data led investors to buy back into government debt. The Labor Department's April jobs report was somewhat reassuring to investors worried about the economy.