09 February 2012 at 15:30 GMT
US Wholesale Inventories, which account for roughly 30 percent of total business inventories, rose by 1 percent in December, more than the 0.4 percent expected by consensus. November growth was revised a tad down to 0 percent from 0.1 percent previously.
The initial Q4 '11 GDP report, released a couple of weeks ago, showed growth of 2.8 percent annualised in the world's largest economy. This growth rate, however, is based on several estimates, including one on inventories and, judging from today's report on inventories at wholesalers we may well see an upward revision come the second report on Q4 '11 GDP growth on 29 February. Total inventories for December will be released on 14 February.
