July business inv +0.2%, as expected by and.>

US DATA: July business inv +0.2%, as expected by analysts and an MNI 

calculation based on the source data, with retail inv -0.1% vs -0.2% 

in the advance estimate. Wholesale inv already reported +0.6% and 

factory inv +0.2%. Total business inv ex retail auto +0.3%; retail inv 

ex auto -0.2%, same as the advance estimate. Retail auto inv flat vs 

-0.1% from the advance report. Other retail inv components were mixed, 

with furniture, building materials and food store inv up, but clothing 

and general merchandise store inv down. The unpublished retail inv 

components were -0.3% based on an MNI calculation, following +0.8% in 

June. Business sales +0.2%, with retail trade sales +0.3%, wholesale 

sales -0.1%, factory shipments +0.3%. Inv/sales ratio unch at 1.38, but 

down from 1.40 a year ago. See MNI main wire.