The February preliminary estimate was revised upward $0.9 billion or 0.2 percent.
 
March sales of durable goods were up 2.3 percent from last month and were up 4.8 percent from a year ago. Compared to last month, motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts and supplies were up 4.5 percent and sales of metals and minerals, except petroleum, were up 3.5 percent. Sales of nondurable goods were up 1.0 percent from last month and were up 20.1 percent from last year.
 
Sales of farm product raw materials were up 9.4 percent from last month and sales of beer, wine, and distilled alcoholic beverages were up 2.7 percent.
 
Inventories. Total inventories of merchant wholesalers, except manufacturers’sales branches and offices, after adjustment for seasonal …