Inventories at U.S. wholesalers increased 1.1% in November, outpacing a 0.7% rise in sales, the U.S. Commerce Department said today.

Economists had been expecting a sizable gain of 0.9% for the nation’s wholesale inventories.

Inventories had increased 1.1% in October as well, with the month’s ales rising by 1.6%.

U.S. holesale sales have increased 14% in the past 12 months, while inventories grew by 11.5%.

Sales of durable goods increased 0.9% in November, despite a 2.3% drop in auto sales. Sales of computer equipment jumped 4.7%.

Inventories of durable goods increased 1.3%.

Sales of nondurable goods increased 0.4% in November, led by a 3.5% rise in chemical sales.

The month’s inventories of nondurable goods climbed 0.9%. Inventories of petroleum have risen 31.2% in the past 12 months, while farm product inventories have fallen 29.9%.