Tucson Daily Citizen in Tucson, Arizona

Inventories Rise as Production Outpaces Consumption

The Commerce Department reported that business inventories increased in recent weeks as production exceeded demand. The rise follows a slowdown in October, with a resumed upward trend through November and early December. Construction outlays grew modestly in the third quarter after seasonal adjustments, despite a roughly 3 percent drop in November home building, with other structures offsetting the decline.