Business inventories unchanged in January as total sales increase for eighth conscutive month

Business inventories flat in January

WASHINGTON — Business inventories were basically flat in January even though sales rose for an eighth consecutive month.

The Commerce Department said that inventories were unchanged, a weaker reading than the 0.2 percent gain that analysts had expected. Total business sales rose by 0.6 percent, a solid performance that followed an even stronger 1 percent gain in December.

Economists are hoping that businesses will soon start restocking depleted store shelves on a sustained basis, a move that would give a boost to the economic recovery.