Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis President Gary Stern said on Feb. 14, 2001 that slower growth in business inventories in December 2000 and improved retail sales and employment data in January 2001 were constructive indicators for the economy. "It would seem that if you had less of an inventory overhang going into the first quarter, that would be positive for first quarter performance. That is there would be less of a need for a drawdown," Stern said at a news conference held at the