WASHINGTON – U.S. wholesalers cut their stockpiles slightly in December while their sales were unchanged, suggesting businesses were cautious at the end of a weak quarter.

The Commerce Department says wholesale business stockpiles dipped 0.1 percent in December from November, after a 0.4 percent rise the previous month. Inventories of furniture and automotive goods fell by the most in more than three years.

Farm product stockpiles also dropped sharply, likely reflecting the impact of this summer's drought in the Midwest.