Wholesale inventories rose 0.2 percent in February following, however, a steep 0.5 percent draw in January. Wholesale stocks of nondurable goods (all data in current dollar terms) were falling the first two months of the year, down 0.4 percent in February and down 1.1 percent in January. Wholesale stocks of durable goods jumped 0.6 percent in February after falling 0.2 percent in January.

The second estimate for February wholesale inventories is a draw of 0.2 percent versus a draw of 0.4 percent in the first estimate.

Wholesale inventories measure the monthly dollar value of inventories held by merchant wholesalers and are tracked to gauge inventory change in quarterly GDP. The advance report is released late in the month for the following month and is part of the Monthly Advance Economic Indicators report (which also includes data on retail inventories and international trade in goods). Final monthly data for wholesale inventories are released about two weeks later with the Wholesale Trade report which also includes initial monthly data on wholesale sales.

Investors need to monitor the economy closely because it usually dictates how various types of investments will perform. The stock market likes to see healthy economic growth because that translates to higher corporate profits. The bond market prefers a slower rate of growth that won't lead to inflationary pressures. Wholesale inventory data give investors a chance to look below the surface of the visible economy, especially for unwanted build. If inventories are growing too fast relative to economic growth, then both production and employment will probably have to slow while those inventories are worked down.