The U.S. Census Bureau released its advance statistic for international trade, wholesale inventories and retail inventories for February on March 27, showing a slight month-to-month increase for wholesale inventories.

The figures showed that February wholesale inventories — adjusted for seasonal and trading day difference, but not for price — ended the month at $902.9 billion, up 0.3% from January and up 1.1% year-over-year. January’s monthly figure was unrevised from up 0.8%, following a 0.4% decline in December.

The February increase was slightly below economists’ expectations of a 0.4% gain, reported by national news outlets.

The Bureau’s April wholesale trade report — reflecting industry data through February — will release on April 9.

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Meanwhile, February durable goods inventories increased 0.3% vs. January and were up 0.5% year-over-year, while nondurable goods were up 0.5% vs. January and likewise up 2.2% year-over-year.

Retail inventories ended the month up 0.1% from January at $823.0 billion. That figure was up 4.6% year-over-year. The January monthly change was revised from unchanged to up 0.1%.

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The Bureau reported the U.S. international trade deficit was $147.9 billion in February, down $7.7 billion from January. Exports of goods for February were $178.6 billion, up $7.0 billion month-to-month. Imports of goods for February were $326.5 billion, down $0.6 billion from January.

The March 2025 advance report for wholesale and retail inventories is scheduled to be released on April 29.

U.S. Wholesale Inventories Month-to-Month

source: tradingeconomics.com