The U.S. Census Bureau released its advance statistic for international trade, wholesale inventories and retail inventories for March on April 29, showing another considerable month-to-month increase for wholesale inventories, but less than consensus expectations.

Wholesale inventories — adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences, but not for price — ended March at $908 billion, up 0.5% from February and up 2.3% year-over-year. The January to February 2025 percentage change was revised from the preliminary estimate of up 0.3% to up 0.5%.

Economists had forecasted a monthly March increase of 0.6% to 0.7%.

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Retail inventories ended the month down 0.1% from February at $805.8 billion. That figure was up 4.8% year-over-year. The February monthly change was revised from up 0.1% to down 0.1%

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The Bureau reported the U.S. international trade deficit was $162 billion in March, up 14.1 billion from 147.8 billion in February. Exports of goods for March were $180.8 billion, $2.2 billion more than February exports. Imports of goods for March were $342.7 billion, $16.3 billion more than February imports.

The April 2025 advance report for wholesale and retail inventories is scheduled to be released on May 30.