By Steve Goldstein
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) -- U.S. wholesale inventories gained 0.6% to a seasonally adjusted $483.5 billion in April, the Commerce Department reported Friday. That's a gain of 8.2% from year-ago levels, while March's estimate was marginally revised higher by $0.1 billion. The ratio of inventories to sales grew to 1.17 from 1.15. Rising inventories are generally considered a positive signal, as it shows businesses stocking items in anticipation of demand.
