Wholesale inventories fall for record 10th straight month but sales post second straight gain

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 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 Stock futures point toward a modestly higher openNEW YORK — Stock futures were modestly higher Friday as investors look to extend gains into a sixth straight day. Investors will get readings on consumer sentiment and wholesale inventories and sales shortly after the market opens as they hunt for further clues about an economic rebound.

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.

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 10th, 2009 May trade deficits dips more than expected to $26BWASHINGTON — The U.S. trade deficit fell to the lowest level in more than nine years in May as exports posted a small gain while the weak American economy pushed imports down for a 10th straight month.

July 10th, 2009 Japan wholesale prices fall 6.6 percent in JuneTOKYO — Japan's central bank said Friday that wholesale prices fell 6.6 percent in June from a year earlier, the biggest fall on record and the latest sign that deflation is returning to the country. The Bank of Japan's corporate good price index, which tracks the cost of a wide range of products sold domestically, declined for the sixth straight month.

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.

July 1st, 2009 Pending home sales up 4th straight month in MayWASHINGTON — A private group says pending home sales rose in May for the fourth straight month, fresh evidence that the housing sector may be recovering. The National Association of Realtors says that its seasonally adjusted index of pending sales increased by 0.1 percent to 90.7.

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 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.