Business Inventories Edge Higher in February

Washington, DC, April 12, 2013 -- U.S. business inventories edged higher in February, the Commerce Department said.

Inventories rose 0.1% to a seasonally adjusted $1.642 trillion, less than the 0.5% increase expected by economists.

February sales, however, rose by 1.2% to a seasonally adjusted $1.287 trillion.

Inventories for manufacturers rose 0.2% and retail inventories climbed 0.3%.

A separate Commerce Department report Friday said retail sales fell 0.4%