Inventories of manufactured nondurable goods, up four of the last five months, increased $0.7 billion or 0.4 percent to $182.9 billion.
This was at the highest level since the series began. The increase was due to petroleum and coal products, which increased $1.3 billion or 4.8 percent to $27.7 billion.
By stage of fabrication, April materials and supplies increased 0.7 percent in durable goods and 0.4 percent in nondurable goods.
Work in process increased 1.7 percent in durable goods and 1.2 percent in nondurable goods. Finished goods decreased slightly in durable goods and increased 0.1 percent in nondurable goods.