15 May 2003, 16:39  US business inventories, sales rise in March

WASHINGTON, May 15 - Stocks at U.S. businesses rose more than expected in March, the government said on Thursday, while sales climbed at their fastest pace in nearly a year, a signal businesses may need to order supplies to meet demand. Inventories at retailers, manufacturers and wholesalers rose 0.4 percent in March, the Commerce Department said, after an increase of 0.7 percent the previous month.
The gain beat Wall Street expectations for a 0.2 percent rise and partly reflected cars sitting on dealer lots. Business sales surged 1.8 percent, the largest jump since April 2002, helped along by good business at retailers.//

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