Stock Learning

Stocks edged higher Wednesday after the government said businesses trimmed their inventories again in January. The Commerce Department said that wholesale inventories fell 0.2 percent in January following a 1 percent drop in December.

Fertilizer company Terra Industries said Wednesday its board favors a bid to be acquired by CF Industries instead of a previous agreement with Norway's Yara.

U.S. stocks drifted higher on Wednesday following several merger and acquisition deals, overshadowing an unexpected drop in January wholesale inventories.

Businesses trimmed inventories at the wholesale level again in January even though sales rose for a 10th consecutive month. The dip in inventories underscored that businesses remain cautious about restocking their depleted shelves.

World stock markets rose modestly Wednesday, though trading was listless as investors looked for direction. The British pound continued to founder following weak industrial output figures.

World oil demand is projected to grow by 900,000 barrels per day in 2010, OPEC said Wednesday, revising up its previous month's forecast while cautioning that the increase is hinged on a sustained global economic rebound, particularly in the United States.

Munich Re sees star investor Warren Buffett's stake in the reinsurer as evidence that he backs its long-term strategy aimed at creating stability, Munich Re's chief executive said on Wednesday.