ASA’s Monthly Pulse report shows member distributors reported a median sales increase of 3.5% for the month ending Sept. 30, 2018 vs. the same timeframe in 2017.

Calendar year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 7.6%, and for the trailing 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2018, respondents reported a median sales growth of 6.9%.

Inventory rose 6% for September 2018 vs. September 2017. The median three-months average  days sales outstanding increased to 45 days in September.

Just over 56% of participants reported an increase in gross-margin percentages for September 2018 vs. 2017.

Company year-to-date profit before tax increased for 72.5% of the respondents. More than half (59.3%) of respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees than a year ago.

In the industrial pipe, valves and fittings segment, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 2.5%. Calendar year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 13%, and for the trailing 12 months ending Sept. 30, 2018, respondents reported a median sales growth of 9.1%.

Inventory rose 11.6% for PVF respondents during the September 2018 vs. September 2017 timeframe. The median three-months average days sales outstanding is at 46.3 for PVF respondents.

73.7% of PVF respondents reported an increase in gross-margin percentages for September 2018 vs. 2017.

Company year-to-date profit before tax increased for 66.7% of PVF respondents. More than 60% (63.2) of PVF respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees than a year ago.