ECONOMY

Inventories Up 0.6% November: The Commerce Department said November’s rise in inventories at the nation’s businesses was the biggest increase since January, 1991. Sales were even stronger, up 1.1% in the fourth consecutive gain. Inventories on shelves and back lots totaled a seasonally adjusted $875.1 billion. Sales totaled $606.9 billion. Sometimes rising inventories can be a danger signal. As they pile up, factories cut back production so they’re not swamped with unsold goods. However, analysts aren’t concerned by the current inventory gain because much of it came in areas where sales are strong. The inventory-to-sales ratio in November was 1.44, down from 1.45 a month earlier.