US business inventories increased in November as higher interest rates depressed sales, boosting the inventory-to-sales ratio to the highest level in nearly two years.

Business inventories rose 0.4 per cent after gaining 0.2 per cent in October, the Commerce Department said on Wednesday (Jan 18). Inventories are a key component of gross domestic product (GDP).

November’s increase in inventories was in line with economists’ expectations. Inventories increased 15.1 per cent on a year-on-year basis in November.

The pace of inventory accumulation has slowed considerably from the robust pace in late 2021 and early 2022 because of improved supply, and ebbing demand for goods as the Federal Reserve aggressively raises interest rates to quell inflation.

Retail inventories rebounded 0.1 per cent in November as estimated in an advance report published last month. They fell 0.4 per cent in October. Improved supply as well as a shift in spending back to services have added to excess merchandise at retailers, forcing some to offer price discounts and hold back on placing more orders until they have cleared the unwanted stock.

Motor vehicle inventories accelerated 1.1 per cent, instead of 1.2 per cent as estimated last month. They increased 0.4 per cent in October. Retail inventories excluding autos, which go into the calculation of GDP, fell 0.3 per cent as estimated last month.

GET BT IN YOUR INBOX DAILY

Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox.

Sign UpVIEW ALL

Wholesale inventories increased 1.0 per cent in November. Stocks at manufacturers were unchanged.

Inventories have been a drag on GDP for two straight quarters, subtracting more than one percentage point in the July-September quarter. The economy grew at a 3.2 per cent annualised rate in the third quarter. Growth estimates for the fourth quarter are as high as a 4.1 per cent pace.

Business sales fell 0.8 per cent in November after rising 0.4 per cent in October. At November’s sales pace, it would take 1.35 months for businesses to clear shelves. That is the longest since December 2020 and was up from 1.33 months in October. REUTERS