Manufacturing, wholesale and retail inventories rose in June, reinforcing claims that the wave of goods restocking benefiting transport operators is slowing.

Seasonally adjusted retail inventories rose 0.8 percent from May, while wholesalers increased stock 0.1 percent. Manufacturing inventories dropped 0.1 percent.

Overall inventories were up 0.3 percent from May and 0.2 percent from June 2009, reaching a total value of $1.4 trillion, the Commerce Department said Aug. 13.

Retailers had an inventory to sales ratio of 1.37, up from 1.35 in May, while the inventory to sales ratio for manufacturers rose from 1.25 to 1.26. Wholesalers had the lowest ratio -- 1.15, compared with 1.14 in May.

The inventory to sales ratio reflects the value of inventory divided by sales. An increase in the ratio points to declining sales and rising inventories.

The total business inventory to sales ratio was 1.26, up from 1.25 in May and 1.23 in April and March. It had been 1.26 in February.

Distributive trade sales and manufacturers' shipments declined 0.6 percent from May to June, dropping to $1.1 billion. That's 9.2 percent higher than a year ago.

Source: JOC