WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A mixed bag of economic data released Thursday indicates the U.S. economic recovery remains patchy.
On the upside, retail sales in November inched up 0.9 percent in November, the Commerce Department said Thursday. Demand for cars was particularly strong, rising 2.6 percent, and sales of durable goods increased 2.2 percent.
But on the other hand, the Labor Department reported earlier in the day the latest weekly unemployment claims rose by 13,000 to 378,000, marking the highest level since October.
Meanwhile, the Commerce Department reported inventories rose 0.4 percent in October, up for the second consecutive month, even though sales inched up 0.7 percent. The inventory-to-sales ratio reached a record low of 1.35.
Separately, the Labor Department reported import prices edged up at the fastest pace in four months. Import prices rose 0.4 percent, most on a surge in consumer items and capital equipment.
