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US wholesale stockpiles fell 0.2 per cent in June but sales posted 0.4 per cent increase

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In this July 25, 2013, photo, Trucks move into the container terminal at the Port of Wilmington in Wilmington, N.C. The government reports how much wholesale businesses adjusted their stockpiles in June and how much they collected in sales on Friday, Aug. 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Bruce Smith)

WASHINGTON – U.S. wholesalers cut their stockpiles for a third straight month even as their sales rose again. That combination could set the stage for stronger economic growth in coming months.

The Commerce Department says wholesale stockpiles fell 0.2 per cent in June from May. That follows a 0.6 per cent drop in May — the biggest in 20 months — a modest 0.1 per cent decline in April.

The last time wholesalers shrank their stockpiles for three months was the July-September quarter in 2009, the first three months after the Great Recession ended.

Sales by wholesalers rose 0.4 per cent in June following an even bigger 1.5 per cent advance in May. The steady sales gains support the view that businesses will start restocking again in coming months, boosting factory production.

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