Business inventories in September increased 0.4% from a month earlier and picked up 1.3% from a year ago, according to Commerce Department data. A second straight month of 0.4% increases may signal a recovery in business investment as inflation eases. Inventories at wholesalers and manufacturers each increased 0.2%, while the inventory-to-sale ratio dropped to 1.36 months from 1.37 the month before.

Homebuilder confidence fell for the fourth consecutive month in November, according to the National Association of Home Builders. The NAHB index declined from 40 last month to 34, the lowest reading since December 2022. However, there are some positive signs, as mortgage rates may be easing after peaking around 8% last month and home sales are expected to tick upward next year.

US retail spending dropped 0.1% in October, the first decrease since March, according to Commerce Department data. Supermarket and restaurant spending remained on the upswing, but sales declined for big-ticket items, such as cars and furniture, a sign that higher interest rates are taking a toll on consumers and a possible slowdown in the US economy might be underway.

USPS fell well short of its breakeven prediction for fiscal year 2023 that ended Sept. 30 with a net loss of $6.5 billion, which it partially attributed to rising costs due to inflation. Separately, USPS announced proposed 5.4% to 5.9% raise hikes for its Ground Advantage, Priority Mail and USPS Connect Local services.

The amount of data businesses amass is poised to grow exponentially in the next few years, and only a few enterprises have facilities devoted to storing it securely, according to a report from Rubrik Zero Labs. Two-thirds of respondents to Rubrik's survey said the data is pouring in at a rate faster than it can be managed.

Some truckers are saying hydrogen fuel technology offers faster refueling, allows trucks to carry heavier loads and for longer distances compared with their battery-cell counterparts. However, the development of the technology and fueling infrastructure is going to take years longer, with Nikola, Kenworth, Hyundai Motor and Volvo Trucks developing their own hydrogen-powered trucks.

The adoption of artificial intelligence in business has proven to be transformative, providing advantages such as improved customer interactions and data-driven decision-making. Utilizing AI tools has enhanced customer satisfaction, increased sales team efficiency and allowed businesses to strategically allocate resources based on informed predictions, reducing the risk of unexpected sales slumps and identifying new opportunities.

A study by TopRank Marketing and Ascend2 found that 34% of business-to-business marketers outsource influencer marketing and 83% outsource most or all influencer marketing and are more likely to track performance and identify the right influencers using AI. The top three uses for AI in influencer marketing among all B2B respondents are, in order, content creation, performance tracking and campaign optimization.

The probability of recession appears to be retreating, with milder inflation numbers for October being the latest positive sign. "We expect the economy to weaken quite a bit, but it does look like we'll avoid an outright contraction" in GDP, according to Nancy Vanden Houten of Oxford Economics.

A wave of fresh issuance in the investment-grade bond market could prime the funding market for mergers and acquisitions. Jens Kengelbach, global head of M&A at Boston Consulting Group, has noted promising signs of recovery in the market as dealmakers have addressed recent challenges in light of elevated interest rates, geopolitical volatility and concerns about a potential recession.

Led by Ron Staffieri, the distinguished former CEO of Chattanooga Shooting Sports, Ron will share his tools, tactics, and leadership prowess with you so you can thrive in the fast-paced distribution landscape. Register today.

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Experience three days of excellent networking opportunities, cutting-edge content, and educational programming for leaders in the wholesale-distribution industry at NAW's Exective Summit Jan. 30 - Feb. 1. Hear from world-class speakers and explore issues critical to the industry. Be prepared for what's next and learn new strategies to get there first. View agenda and registration information here.