Inventories in the manufacturing and trade sectors in the United States increased by 0.4% in February, compared to the previous month to stand at $2,567.5 billion, according to a report by the US Census Bureau released on Monday. The figure was 1.0% higher on a yearly comparison basis.

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The combined value of distributive trade sales and manufacturers’ shipments in the period under review was estimated at $1,866.5 billion. On a monthly basis, the figure went up by 1.6%, while it rose by 1.0% per annum.

The ratio between business inventories and sales was 1.38 at the end of February, while the ratio recorded 12 months earlier stood at 1.37.