ASA’s Monthly Pulse report shows member wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales increase of 10.4% for the month ending Jan. 31, compared to the same month in 2017. Calendar year-to-date, all respondents reported median sales growth of 10.4% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 6.0%.

Inventory rose 6% compared to the prior year and the median three-months average days sales outstanding edged up from 43 days in December to 43.5 days in January. 56.3% of the respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages for the month of January vs. January 2017, and company year-to-date profit before taxes increased for 62.8% of the total sample. The percentage of respondents having more full-time-equivalent employees compared to a year ago decreased from 58.8% in December to 53.5% in January.

Industrial PVF distributors reported a median sales increase of 6% for the month compared to January 2017. Calendar year-to-date, all PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 6%, and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 7.5%. Inventory rose 5.9% compared to prior year, and the median three-months average DSOs increased from 43.1 days in December to 44.4 days in January. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes leapt from 44.4% in December to 66.7% in January.