WASHINGTON: U.S. wholesale businesses added great stockpiles in seven months in November while sales fell.
Inventories held by wholesalers increased 0.8 percent in November after a 0.6 percent rise in October, the Commerce Department reported Friday. It was the biggest uptick in stockpiles since a 1 percent jump in April.
Sales at the wholesale level dropped 0.3 percent in November after no gain in October. It was the biggest decline since a 0.8 percent dip in August.
While businesses could start cutting back on their stockpiling if sales do not improve, economists are forecasting a rebound in coming months that should encourage companies to restock their empty store shelves. Inventory rebuilding supports overall economic growth.
With the November increase, wholesale stockpiles totaled $547.2 billion, an increase of 7.1 percent in the past 12 months.
The rise in inventories included a 0.6 percent increase in auto stockpiles and a 2.6 percent jump in computer equipment.
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