Wholesale Inventories Up Sharply in December

Washington, DC, Feb. 9, 2012 -- Wholesale inventories rose 1.0% in December, the second strong gain in the past three months, according to the Commerce Department.

The increase was larger than expected. Economists had forecast an increase of about 0.4% in the month.

Sales of wholesalers rose 1.3% in December after a 0.5% gain in the previous month.