Sales ounces were lower than production in the third quarter of 2012 because of normal timing differences in inventory flows, they said.

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Both international trade flows and inventory accumulation could have been affected by disruptions caused by Hurricane Sandy, although a precise estimate of the effect of the hurricane on GDP is not available.

WHITEHOUSE: Advance Estimate of GDP for the Fourth Quarter of 2012

These statements are likely to address matters such as the company's future financial condition and performance (including earnings per share, profitability, liquidity, cash flows, debt levels, market share growth and other sales information, inventory levels and capital expenditures), its cost reduction initiatives and plans for store closings, and the expansion of product categories, including eBook content and eReaders.

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