ASA’s Monthly Pulse Report reveals member wholesaler-distributors reported median sales growth of 5.9% in December 2015 compared to the December 2014 timeframe.

For calendar-year-to-date, respondents reported a median sales growth of 4.0%, while inventory rose 1.8% in December compared to the same time a year ago.

The median three-month average days sales outstanding dropped to 42.0 in December. Nearly 46% of participants in the monthly survey reported an increase in gross margin percentages for December 2015 vs. December 2014. Company year-to-date profit before tax increased for 48% of respondents, while 61% of respondents reported having more full-time equivalent employees compared to a year ago.