1.   Compared to a year earlier, sales edged higher.

2.   Despite rising interest rates, California homes sales edged up during October but prices continued to slip, figures show.

3.   Retail sales edged up.

4.   The Commerce Department reported yesterday that U.S. retail sales barely edged higher in December.

5.   Vehicle sales have edged down from their summer peak and consumer spending, while still strong, has grown more slowly since last fall.