Slight gains for U.S. wholesale trade

WASHINGTON —  December 2013 wholesale inventories were $517.9 billion, up 0.3% from the revised November level and up 4.0% from December 2012, according to new U.S. Census Bureau statistics.  Sales were $442.4 billion, up 0.5% from the revised November level and up 5.8% from December 2012. For 2013 overall, wholesale inventories increased 3.9% from 2012.  Sales rose 4.2% from 2012 to 2013.