US Business Inventories Stable in August

US Business Inventories Remain Stable in August, Retail Inventories Decline: A Key Indicator for Economic HealthThe latest figures on US business inventories for August show a surprising stability, with no change from the previous month. This comes after a slight gain in July and is a crucial indicator for our overall economic health. While overall inventories held steady, stocks at retailers saw a decline, suggesting strong sales. The report from the Commerce Departments Census Bureau, delayed due to the recent government shutdown, offers important insights. Inventories showed an increase of 1.1% compared to last year, contributing to GDP growth. Earlier this year, a decrease in business inventories subtracted from GDP, but this was made up for by a record contribution from a smaller trade deficit. Looking ahead, the Atlanta Federal Reserve forecasts a 4.2% annualized GDP growth rate in the third quarter. Retail inventories specifically fell by 0.1% in August, driven by a decrease in motor vehicle inventories. Despite these shifts, the time it would take for businesses to clear their shelves remained unchanged, indicating a consistent sales pace.The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.