Another report, on business inventories, was in line with expectations.

The department will also report business inventories and sales for December.

Business inventories rose 0.4 percent in January, less than half the increase of the previous month.

Meanwhile, business inventories and sales in July lost a step.

Business inventories rose 0.7 percent in September, but sales have since picked up.

The final sales figure removes the effects of changes in business inventories.

In addition, the Government reported that capacity use rates fell and business inventories rose.

Business inventories jumped 0.8 percent in November, while total sales fell.

Business inventories climbed for the 18th consecutive month in June.

Among the signs of continued concern is a buildup in business inventories.