The U.S. Census Bureau released its advance statistic for international trade, wholesale inventories and retail inventories advance statistics for November on Dec. 27, showing an modest increase from October.

The figures showed that November wholesale inventories — adjusted for seasonal and trading day differences, but not for price — ended the month at $901.6 billion, down 0.2% from October and up 0.9% year-over-year.  The September to October change was revised from +0.2% to +0.1%. Meanwhile, November durable goods inventories declined 0.5% vs. October and were up 1.5% year-over-year, while nondurable goods were up 0.2% vs. October and down 0.3% year-over-year.

Retail inventories went in the opposite direction in November, ending the month up 0.3% from October to $827.5 billion. That figure was up 7.2% year-over-year. The September to October change was unrevised from the preliminary estimate of up 0.2%.

Meanwhile, the Bureau reported the U.S. international trade deficit was $102.9 billion in November, up $4.6 billion from October. Exports of goods for November were $176.4 billion, up $7.6 billion from October. Imports of goods for November were $279.2 billion, also up $12 billion from October.

The final numbers for November wholesale inventories will be included in the Bureau’s wholesale trade monthly report on Jan. 9, while the December 2024 advance report for wholesale and retail inventories will be released on Jan. 29.

International Trade, Wholesale Inventories and Retail Inventories Advance Statistics for November 2024