January Wholesale Inventories Rise 1.1%, Exceeding Expectations

.S. wholesale inventories rose 1.1% in January to $331.9 billion, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

The level was more than the 0.6% forecast, Bloomberg reported. Wholesale sales rose 0.5% in January, Commerce said.

Durable goods sales fell for the first time since August 2003 on reduced demand for computer and other equipment, Bloomberg reported.

Wholesalers account for about one-fourth of all business inventories. Retailers and factories account for the rest.