The American Supply Association’s Monthly Pulse Report shows ASA member wholesaler-distributors logged a median sales increase of 0.3% for the month ending Oct. 31, compared to the same month last year. 

Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 4.1%, and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 4.8%. Inventory rose 1.4% compared to a year ago, and the median three-months average days sales outstanding dropped slightly to 42.3 days. 

48.6% of the respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages for October 2016 vs. 2015, and company YTD profit before taxes increased for 52.1% of the total sample. 44.4% of respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago.

Industrial pipe-valve-fitting (PVF) distributors reported a median sales increase of 1.1% for the month compared to the same last year. Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 2.7%, and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 8.9%. Inventories grew 2.6% compared to a year ago and the median three-months average DSOs edged down from 43.0 days in September to 42.2 in October. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes declined from 47.1% in September to 46.7% in October, and 53.3% reported being down.