American Supply Association’s (ASA) Monthly Pulse Report recently revealed that member wholesaler-distributors recorded median sales growth of 1.1 percent for the month ending Oct. 31, compared to the same month last year.
Industrial pipe, valve and fitting distributors (PVF) reported a median sales decrease of 9.9 percent for the month compared to the same last year. However, calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 4 percent and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 4.7 percent. Inventory barely edged up 0.4 percent compared to a year ago and the median three-month average DSOs increased from 43.2 days in September to 44.8 in October. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit, before taxes, declined from 46.7 percent in September to 31.3 percent in October.