American Supply Association’s Monthly Pulse report reveals member wholesaler-distributors recorded median sales growth of 1.1% for the month ending Oct. 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 5.5%. Inventory rose 2.9% compared to a year ago and the median three-month average days sales outstanding edged up to 44.5. The report also shows 56.6% of respondents noted an increase in gross margin percentages for October 2015 vs. 2014, and company YTD profit before taxes increased for 48.8% of the total sample. Also, 55.4% of respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago.

Industrial pipe, valve and fitting distributors reported a median sales decrease of 9.9% for the month compared to the same last year. Calendar year-to-date, PVF respondents reported a median sales increase of 4.0% and the median increase for the trailing 12 months is 4.7%. Inventory barely edged up 0.4% compared to a year ago and the median three-month average DSOs increased from 43.2 days in September to 44.8 in October. PVF respondents reporting an increase in company YTD profit before taxes declined from 46.7% in September to 31.3% in October, and more than half (56.3%) of respondents reported being down.