CNN reports that in the month of October inventories increased more than expected, but inventories did not increase at the same level as sales. This has caused the stock-to-sales ratio to be at record low.

Inventories at U.S. businesses climbed more than expected in October but failed to keep pace with sales, a government report showed Thursday, suggesting a need to restock shelves is helping fuel a rise in production.

Inventories at the nation's manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers rose 0.4 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted $1.18 trillion, the Commerce Department said. Economists polled by Reuters had expected only a 0.2 percent gain.

The department said business sales rose 0.7 percent, outstripping the inventory increase and pushing the stock-to-sales ratio, a measure of how long it would take to deplete stocks at the current sales pace, down to a record low 1.35 months.