Aug business inv +0.5% vs +0.6% expected by.>

US DATA: Aug business inv +0.5% vs +0.6% expected by analysts. Retail 

inv unrevised from +0.7% in the advance estimate.

- Total business inv ex retail auto +0.3%; retail inv ex auto flat, 

rev down from +0.1% in advance estimate, but auto inv rev down to +1.8% 

vs +2.0% in advance.

- Retail inv components were up on gains in motor vehicles, furniture 

and applicances, and food and beverage stores. The unpublished retail 

inv components category -0.6% based on an MNI calc.

- Business sales +0.5%, but inv/sales ratio unch from 1.34 in July, and 

below from 1.39 a year earlier, as sales growth sharply outpaced 

inventories.