ASA member distributors reported a median sales increase of 1.9% for the month ending Feb. 28, compared to the same month in 2016. Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 6.0% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 3.9%. Inventory rose 4.3% compared to the prior year and the median three-months average days sales outstanding dropped from 45.8 to 44.6 days.

More than half (54.8%) of respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages for February 2017 vs. 2016. Company YTD profit before taxes increased for 57.8% of the sample. The percentage of respondents having more full-time-equivalent employees compared to a year ago increased from 52.9% in January to 56.0% in February.

Industrial pipe, valves and fittings distributors reported a median sales increase of 2.0% for the month compared to February 2016. Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 10.5% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 4.3%. Inventories grew 5% compared to the prior year and the median three-months average DSOs dropped from 46 days in January to 45 in February. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes increased from 66.7% in January to 73.7% in February.