Summary Box: Wholesale stockpiles up in July

INVENTORIES UP: Wholesale businesses added to their stockpiles for a 19th consecutive month in July. Inventories rose 0.8 percent.

SALES FLAT: Sales at the wholesale level were unchanged in July, the poorest showing since a 0.3 percent drop in May.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK: Weakening sales could shake confidence and cause businesses to cut back on restocking. Economists expect a rebound in sales, although they say growth will stay below the levels needed to generate healthy hiring.