WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. wholesalers restocked their warehouses at a modest pace in June for a second straight month, a sign they anticipate slower growth ahead.
The Commerce Department says wholesale inventories rose 0.3 percent, the same as the previous month. May's inventory gain was revised down from 0.5 percent.
The slowdown in restocking likely reflects weaker wholesale sales. Sales grew just 0.2 percent in June, down from 0.7 percent in May.
Still, the report suggests that inventory levels are roughly in line with sales. That means wholesalers likely haven't gone too far in restocking their goods. As a result, they probably won't have to slow restocking in the coming months.
Slower rebuilding of inventories can drag on growth. That's because it means fewer orders for factory goods.
