U.S. Advance Retail Inventories Ex Autos MoM
Published:
This measures the monthly change in the value of inventories held by U.S. retailers, excluding motor vehicle and parts dealers. It helps show whether retailers are building or drawing down stock outside the volatile auto sector.
Full explanation
The series is released in the Census Bureau’s Advance Economic Indicators report and is based on advance estimates of retail end-of-month inventories. The “ex autos” measure removes motor vehicle and parts dealers, which can swing sharply because of vehicle supply and pricing conditions. The calendar value is the month-over-month percent change, typically on a seasonally adjusted basis and not adjusted for price changes.
Why traders watch it
Traders watch inventories because they can influence GDP tracking, production expectations and views on consumer demand. Surprises may affect rate and dollar pricing when they change expectations for real activity or future goods-sector output.
Stronger vs weaker outcomes
A stronger-than-expected increase may suggest retailers are restocking or that goods are accumulating faster than sales. A weaker or negative reading may suggest leaner inventories or stronger sell-through, but the implication depends on retail demand and supply-chain context.
Typical volatility
Inventory values are not price-adjusted, so inflation can affect the dollar level. Advance estimates are subject to revision and should be read alongside retail sales and broader business inventories data.
Related indicators
06/2036 NGB Auction
A Norwegian sovereign bond auction for the NOK-denominated NGB line maturing in June 2036.
10-Year BTP Auction
A Treasury auction of Italian government bonds with around 10 years remaining to maturity.
10-Year Note Auction
A U.S. Treasury auction for securities maturing in roughly 10 years, watched for pricing and demand for longer-term government debt.
11-Month Bubill Auction
An auction of short-term German Treasury discount paper with about 11 months remaining to maturity.
12-Month BTF Auction
A regular French Treasury bill auction used to fund the state at the short end of the euro yield curve.
2-Year Bond Auction
A primary-market auction of short-dated Canadian federal government bonds, watched for demand, clearing yield and signals from the front end of the Canadian yield curve.