US business inventories edged down by 0.1% month-over-month in January 2026, after a revised flat reading in December, defying analysts' forecasts of a 0.1% rise. Stocks declined at merchant wholesalers (-0.5% vs -0.1% in December), more than offsetting increases for retailers (0.3% vs 0.1%) and manufacturers (0.1% vs 0.1%). On a yearly basis, total business inventories advanced by 1%. source: U.S. Census Bureau

Business Inventories in the United States decreased 0.10 percent in January of 2026 over the previous month. Business Inventories in the United States averaged 0.29 percent from 1992 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 2.50 percent in December of 2021 and a record low of -2.40 percent in May of 2020. This page provides - United States Business Inventories - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news. United States Business Inventories - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Business Inventories in the United States decreased 0.10 percent in January of 2026 over the previous month. Business Inventories in the United States is expected to be -0.20 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the United States Business Inventories is projected to trend around 0.50 percent in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-06 03:00 PM
Business Inventories MoM
Dec 0.1% 0% 0.1% 0.0%
2026-04-01 02:00 PM
Business Inventories MoM
Jan -0.1% 0% 0.1% 0.2%
2026-04-21 02:00 PM
Business Inventories MoM
Feb -0.1% 0.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Business Inventories MoM -0.10 0.00 percent Jan 2026
Durable Goods Orders MoM -1.40 -0.50 percent Feb 2026
Durable Goods Orders ex Defense MoM -1.20 0.20 percent Feb 2026
Durable Goods Orders Ex Transp MoM 0.80 0.30 percent Feb 2026
Factory Orders MoM 0.00 0.00 percent Feb 2026
Factory Orders ex Transportation 1.20 0.50 percent Feb 2026
New Orders 620052.00 619137.00 USD Million Jan 2026
Non Defense Goods Orders Ex Air 0.60 -0.40 percent Feb 2026
Retail Inventories Ex Autos MoM 0.30 0.40 percent Jan 2026
Wholesale Inventories MoM 0.80 -0.30 percent Feb 2026


United States Business Inventories
Business Inventories in the United States measure the monthly percentage changes in inventories from manufacturers, retailers, and wholesalers. Inventories are a key component of gross domestic product.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
-0.10 0.00 2.50 -2.40 1992 - 2026 percent Monthly
Current Prices, SA

News Stream
US Business Inventories Unexpectedly Fall
US business inventories edged down by 0.1% month-over-month in January 2026, after a revised flat reading in December, defying analysts' forecasts of a 0.1% rise. Stocks declined at merchant wholesalers (-0.5% vs -0.1% in December), more than offsetting increases for retailers (0.3% vs 0.1%) and manufacturers (0.1% vs 0.1%). On a yearly basis, total business inventories advanced by 1%.
2026-04-01
US Business Inventories Rise 0.1% as Forecast
US business inventories rose by 0.1% month-over-month in December 2025, following a revised flat reading in November, matching analysts' estimates. Stocks increased at merchant wholesalers (0.2% vs 0.2% in November), retailers (0.1% vs -0.4%) and manufacturers (0.1% vs 0.2%). On a yearly basis, total business inventories went up by 1.6% in December.
2026-03-06
US Business Inventory Growth Softer-than-Expected
US business inventories rose by 0.1% month-over-month in November 2025, following a 0.2% advance in October and slightly below analysts' estimates of a 0.2% increase. Stocks went up at merchant wholesalers (0.2% vs 0.2% in October) and manufacturers (0.1% vs 0%), but declined at retailers (-0.1% vs 0.5%). On a yearly basis, total business inventories increased by 1.2% in November.
2026-02-10