INVENTORIES UP: U.S. wholesale businesses increased their stockpiles by 0.6 percent in October to $497.1 billion. That is nearly 30 percent higher than the low hit in September 2009 as the country was struggling to emerge from a deep recession.

SALES DOWN: Sales at the wholesale level fell 1.2 percent in October, providing a mixed sign about the economy.

OUTLOOK: More restocking leads to more factory production, which boosts economic growth. But the slower sales in October could force companies to cut back on restocking in coming months.