wholesale inventories rose 01 in february and sales in the month climbed 04 the government said monday the inventorytosales ratio fell a tick to 137 months from 138 a year ago the ratio stood at a much lower 124 the ratio reflects how long it would take a company to sell all the goods sitting on warehouse shelves higher inventory levels reflect softer sales as the economy slows businesses have trimmed production to bring inventories more in line with demand that could also depress the economy