AP - Asian markets inched higher early Thursday amid mixed economic news and after U.S. stocks closed with small gains following a report that companies cut their inventories.
AP - GOOD NEWS, MODEST MOVES: The Dow Jones industrial average tacked on only 3 points Wednesday after the government said that inventories at wholesalers fell in January while sales rose. That suggests that demand is strengthening.
AP - Scant buying lifted stocks for a second day Wednesday after the government reported a drop in companies' inventories. The Dow Jones industrials rose only 3 points as the market remained in a lull that began on Monday. Many investors stayed on the sidelines amid an absence of news that could influence trading.