Business Inventories Rise More Than Expected

Washington, DC, Nov. 14, 2012 -- U.S. business inventories rose more than expected in September, according to the Commerce Department.

However, inventories excluding automobiles were flat for a second month.

The Commerce Department said on Wednesday inventories increased 0.7% to a record $1.61 trillion, after rising 0.6% in August. Economists forecast inventories rising 0.5% in September.

Business sales increased 1.4%, the most since March last year, to a record $1.26 trillion in September after rising 0.6% the prior month.