THE ECONOMY
Associated Press
* U.S. companies boosted their inventories a modest 0.5% in December, but sales vaulted ahead a sizzling 1.1%, the Commerce Department said. Retailers reported a 1% increase in inventories, wholesalers a rise of 0.4% and factories an increase of 0.2%. On the sales front, retailers also posted the biggest gain, with sales rising 1.7%.
