WASHINGTON — The value of business inventories rose 0.5% in February, with the increase smaller than expected due to a decline in retail inventories, data released Wednesday by the Commerce Department showed.
Retail inventories fell 0.4% in February, due in large part to a 1.4% decline in motor vehicle and parts inventories.
The remaining retail inventories categories combined for a 0.1% rise, with increases in every category except for a 1.2% decline in furniture and home electronics inventories.
