American Supply Association wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales increase of 9.6% for the month ending Jan. 31, 2017 compared to the same month in 2016.

Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 9.6% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 4.5%.

Inventory rose 3.1% compared to the prior year and the median three-months-average days sales outstanding jumped from 42.0 to 45.8 days.

Nearly half (49.4%) of respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages for January 2017 vs. 2016, and company year-to-date profit before taxes increased 60% for the total sample. The percentage of respondents having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago increased from 49.4% in December to 52.9% in January.

Industrial PVF distributors reported a median sales increase of 11.5% for the month compared to January 2016.

Calendar year-to-date PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 11.5% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 0.9%. Inventories grew 5.0% compared to the prior year and the median three-months-average DSOs jumped from 43 days in December to 46 in January.

PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes increased from 47.1% in December to 66.7% in January.