The American Supply Association’s Monthly Pulse report shows member respondents reported a median sales increase of 6% for the month ending Nov. 30, 2018 vs. 2017.

For calendar year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 7.8%. For the trailing 12 months ending Nov. 30, 2018, respondents reported a median sales growth of 7%.

Inventory rose 7.9% for November 2018 vs. 2017.

The median three-months average days sales outstanding decreased to 43 days in November. Just over 53% of the participants reported an increase in gross margin percentages for November 2018 vs. 2017.

Company year-to-date profit before tax increased for 74.7% of the respondents. Nearly two-thirds (62.8%) of the respondents reported having more full-time-equivalent employees vs. a year ago.

On the industrial PVF front, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 4% for the month ending Nov. 30, 2018 vs. 2017.

Calendar year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 15.1%. For the trailing 12 months ending Nov. 30, 2018, respondents  reported a median sales growth of 17.5%.

Inventory for industrial PVF respondents rose 12.1% for November 2018 vs. 2017.