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RESTOCKING SLOWS: U.S. companies' inventories grew just 0.3 percent in March, the smallest gain since November.
LESS GROWTH: The pace of restocking has diminished this year from the end of last year, contributing less to economic growth in the January-March quarter. When restocking slows, factories produce less goods and that drags on growth.
OUTLOOK: Inventories are expected to keep growing this year. But the gains aren't expected to return to their levels at the end of last year.
