The American Supply Association's Monthly Pulse Report shows ASA-member distributors who responded to the survey reported a median sales increase of 14.7% for the month ending July 31.

For the calendar year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 76%. For the trailing 12 months ending July 31, respondents reported a median sales growth of 7.1%.

Inventory rose 6% for the July 2018 vs. July 2017 time frame. The median three-months-average says sales outstanding increased to 43.5 days in July.

Just over 47% of the participants reported an increase in gross-margin percentages for July 2018 vs. July 2017.

Company year-to-date profit before tax Increased for 64.6% of the respondents. More than half (59%) of respondents reported having more full-time-equivalent employees vs. a year ago.