-- Wholesale inventories rose by 0.8% in February, more than the 0.1% decrease expected in a survey compiled by Bloomberg and following a 0.3% decline in January.
Durable wholesale inventories increased by 0.8%, while nondurables inventories were up by 1%.
Wholesale sales increased by 2.7% in February after a 1.1% increase January, led by an 8.3% increase in electrical sales and a 3.9% increase in petroleum sales. Analysts expected a 0.6% overall increase. Automotive sales rose 0.7%