1. Although recent surveys suggest lean inventories, orders are down and manufacturers expect the economy will slow. 2. As a result, refiners raced to replenish their lean inventories to have enough supply, driving prices higher. 3. A rise of equal magnitude could all but erase previous speculation that lean U.S. inventories would run thin this winter. 4. A strike would come at a time of lean inventories. 5. Also boosting crude is a surge in gasoline prices to five-year highs amid lean inventories, rising demand and a spate of production problems at U.S. refineries. 6. Builders and car companies steadily demand copper, keeping inventories lean and prices up. 7. But it has since decided to revert to its previous lean inventory levels, Lewis said Monday. 8. Coffee roasters are counting on the September and October harvests to replenish lean inventories before U.S. demand perks up in December. 9. Coffee rose for the fifth day on speculation that lean inventories will keep prices high. 10. Coffee futures rose on concern that lean inventories in the U.S. are set to fall because producers have shipped most of their crop for this time of year. |