WASHINGTON, July 9 (Xinhua) -- U.S. wholesale inventories fell for a 9th consecutive month in May, according to data released Thursday by the Commerce Department.

    The department says inventories dipped 0.8 percent in May, slightly smaller than the 1 percent decline economists had expected.

    Sales at the wholesale level posted a 0.2 percent rise in May, better than the expected flat reading. It was the best showing for sales since a similar rise in February.

    Analysts say that the American businesses are still struggling to trim stockpiles amid the longest recession since World War II.