U.S. companies' inventories jump above expectations

Despite worries on the Federal Reserve's future decision about stimulus tapering, U.S. companies stockpiles inched up for the third time this year. Inventories of U.S. businesses rallied 0.4% in July, overshooting analysts' expectations of a 0.2% rise. Manufacturers' reserves increased 0.2% in July, while shipments of their products rallied 1.1%.