ASA’s Monthly Pulse Report shows association member wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales increase of 13.4% for the month ending May 31 compared to the same month in 2016.

Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 6.2%, and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 5.5%. 

Inventory rose 5.0% compared to prior year, and the median three-month average days sales outstanding dropped from 45.0 to 43.5 days. 

64.6% of respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages for May, 2017 vs. 2016 and company YTD profit before taxes increased for 62.0% of the total sample.  The percentage of respondents having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago decreased from 60.8% in April to 59.0% in May.

Industrial PVF distributors reported a median sales increase of 9.8% for the month compared to May 2016. Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 6.8%, and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 5.5%. Inventories grew 8.5% compared to prior year and the median three-month average DSOs grew from 45.2 days in April to 46 days in May. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes increased from 57.1% in April to 64.3% in May.