The American Supply Association’s monthly Pulse report shows industrial PVF members reported a median sales decline of -6.3% for the month ending May 21 compared to the same last year.

Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 2.6%, while the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 0.3%. Inventory rose 2.7% among PVF respondents compared to a year ago and the median three-month average DSOs increased from 46 days in April to 47 in May. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes decreased from 46.7% in April to 42.7% in May.

The industrial PVF sector’s performance paints a somewhat different picture than that of all ASA member wholesaler-distributors that participated in the monthly report. ASA member wholesaler-distributors reported a median sales decline of -2.0% for the month ending May 31 compared to the same month last year.

Calendar year-to-date all respondents reported a median sales increase of 5.0% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 5.3%.

Inventory rose 1.6% compared to a year ago and the median three-months average days outstanding fell to 45 days. More than 55% of respondents reported an increase in gross margin percentages and company YTD profit before taxes increased for 63% of the total sample. On the labor front, 54.1% of respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago.