In January, U.S. business inventories rose by 0.3%, following a 0.2% decline in December. This increase in inventories, a crucial factor in GDP, aligns with economists' expectations. On a year-on-year basis, inventories grew by 2.3% in January. Inventories are a volatile element of GDP, with private inventories almost exhausted in the fourth quarter due to robust consumer spending, partly driven by pre-emptive purchases ahead of import tariffs. This depletion of inventories contributed to a 2.3% annualized economic growth in the fourth quarter. Projections for GDP growth in the January-March quarter range from a 2.4% contraction to a 1.3% expansion. Retail inventories remained steady, contrary to a projected 0.1% decline. Motor vehicle inventories decreased by 1.0%, differing slightly from the previously reported 1.1% drop. Wholesale inventories grew by 0.8%, while manufacturers' stocks increased by 0.1%. Business sales dropped by 0.8% in January, compared to a 1.0% increase in December. Businesses would take 1.37 months to clear shelves at January's sales pace, up from 1.35 months in December.