WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. wholesale inventories were unchanged in August as increases in stocks of long-lasting manufactured goods like motor vehicles offset decreases in prescription medication and paper.

The unchanged reading reported by the Commerce Department’s Census Bureau on Friday was an upward revision to the 0.2% decline estimated in September. Economists polled by Reuters had expected that estimate would be unrevised. The report was delayed by the recently ended 43-day shutdown of the government.

Inventories, a key part of gross domestic product, edged up 0.1% in July. They increased 1.1% on a year-over-year basis in August. Wholesale stocks of motor vehicles gained 0.4%. There were also increases in inventories of metals, computer equipment and lumber. But prescription medic

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